This day hike is Part 3 of a 5-Part week-long solo trip to Acadia National Park during the height of the annual foliage change in October 2020. On this day I hiked The Ocean Path Trail, which follows the Maine coastline along the Atlantic Ocean. I started on the Great Head Trail (which can be found in Part II of this 5-Part Series), descended to Sand Beach, hiked out to Otter Point, and turned back. I was afforded yet Bluebird Day in Acadia, by every definition of that term. Some highlights of this hike were Thunder Hole, Monument Cove, Boulder Beach, Otter Cliffs, Otter Point, Sand Beach, and Great Head.
This trip, however, was originally supposed to be a very different one.
After an amazing adventure to Kings Canyon National Park (to hike the Rae Lakes Loop), Sequoia National Park, & Yosemite in July of that year with all of the OG noBear members... I wanted more.
Unfortunately, there aren't many options on the East Coast, within driving distance of NJ in October, that can be planned in a week. Acadia, which would’ve been my 1st choice without a second thought, had been shut down for months due to the pandemic. And driving to The Smokeys, or even to Shenandoah, was not something that appealed to me at the time.
Then, without any warning... one of my closest friends passed away, as suddenly as someone can pass away, in late September. She was a healthy 41-year-old who literally dropped dead in her kitchen from an aneurysm. To say it had affected me would be an understatement. The only thing I could think of, to take my mind off of the pain, was to take some kind of trip. Something that would challenge me, something I knew would be painful... and that would burn. Basically, something that would take my mind off of what had just occurred. I chose The Pemi Loop in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.
The Pemigewasset is a grueling 28.9 mile, 4-5 day beast of a trip that has an elevation differential gain of 9,200 feet!! It is considered to be one of America's most difficult hikes. It was exactly what I needed. And even better... no permits needed, meaning it could be planned and outfitted for within a week. And the drive wasn't too far.
So I locked everything down, packed my bags, my gear, and my car. Luckily, I had converted the SUV to afford me the option to stealth car-camp the night before the trip, as well as the night I’d return to the car. I was happy and excited with my choice.
Then, two days before departure, I got word that Acadia was going to open the following morning. I had a choice to make, but I needed to make it quickly. Acadia, in October, is a bucket list trip. But it's also a madhouse.
Every hiker in the Northeast with dreams of bright reds, oranges, yellows, purples, and browns will flock to Acadia with their Pumpkin Spice Frappuccino in hand. However, I knew that most potential visitors wouldn’t know that The Park had reopened. It was a hard choice, but I knew I couldn't pass up the opportunity to see Maine's prized National Park during its peak-foliage week. I decided to save the Pemi Loop for another year, and started to frantically plan the itinerary for Acadia.
Once again, noBear luck strikes again. I definitely made the right decision.
Acadia, in mid-October, is nature porn. I was granted perfect weather through the entire week, was able to honor my friend in the best way I knew how. I was able to reflect upon the tremendous loss that occurred the week prior with respect and beauty, and was got to experience the best of what Acadia has to offer in terms of hiking.
And what it has to offer is amazing!
Join me as I hike The Cadillac Mountain Trail (the 1st place in the United States that experiences each morning's sunrise), The Great Head Trail, Sand Beach, The Ocean Path Trail, The Jordan Pond Trail, The Precipice (which I could not capture on camera, as it felt like a death sentence), and the amazingly challenging and beautiful Beehive & Bowl Trails.
We hope you enjoy this trip video, and as always (if you did), please consider subscribing. It really helps the Channel.
Love Always,
noBear & Buldo
9 сен 2024
