The Most Dangerous Hike in Acadia: Precipice Trail

Part II of the Hiking Acadia Series. 

Click here for Part I: “Jordan Cliffs to South Bubble”

And here for Part III: The Beehive

On this hike:

• One of the most difficult and exciting day hikes in Acadia.

• Completely vertical cliff climbing.

• Highly exposed iron rung routing.

• Dramatic views of Frenchman Bay and Porcupine Islands from the top of Champlain Mountain.

*Note*: This hike may be closed during spring to late summer during peregrine falcon nesting season.

Part I: Weeding out the Weak-Kneed

This is a very short hike distance wise. But with 1,000 feet of elevation gain in under a mile, to paraphrase Shakespeare,

“Though she be but small, she is fierce.”

This trail is not to be underestimated. Several people have died on this climb. If you have a fear of heights or children with you, make the smart move and skip this hike. 

Under no circumstances should you ever attempt this hike in the rain. 

Now that that’s out of the way, let's get to the good stuff.

As if the multiple warning signs weren’t enough, Precipice trail immediately threw me into a trial by fire.

At less than a tenth of a mile I was met with a scramble that required a decent bit of flexibility and reach to get up.

It was almost as if the trail was asking would-be adventurers, 

“Are you sure you’re up for this?”

And sure enough, with a line of hikers forming, this gatekeeper of an obstacle forced one group to turn around and search for a less aggressive adventure.

To further make sure I was kept on my toes, the path turned into a steep rock scramble over (and at one point under) a boulder-laden rockslide. 

At just under a half mile, the trail came to a crossroads and the beginning of the non-technical cliff-climb. 

Part II: Where the Hike Ends and the Climb Begins

Trail. Hike. Climb. I’m not sure if there are definitive lines differentiating these terms, but I can tell you this. This is as close to rock climbing as you can get without using a harness or rope. 
I am usually a lot more reflective in these blog posts, but I’m not going to lie, I was so focused on keeping three points of contact, that I can barely remember what was going through my mind at the time. 

That being said, I'll let the video and photos speak for themselves in this section.

Part III: Champlain Summit Chilling

Finally after a thousand feet of climbing, and about twice as many heart palpitations, I made it to where I could start to use only my bottom limbs again. 

Or so I thought.

Hiding under in the arboreal overhang was the trail’s final obstacle before the summit.

Once up those final rungs, it was a simple walk through the pines to the top of Champlain Mountain to see the view. 

And damn what a view.

As excited as I was to make it to the top, it was eventually time to head back down.

And I was very excited.

Part IV: Heading Back on the Orange and Black

Getting down the mountain was longer, distance wise, but incomparably easier.

The North Ridge Trail was a gentle half mile slabby slope, with views of Bar Harbor the whole way.

After that half mile, the trail came to a junction for the short spur to the Orange and Black Path. 

This particular trail was first established by Princeton University professor Rudolph E. Brunnow. And so was named the Orange and Black Path in honor of the hit Netflix original series…. I mean in honor of Princeton’s school colors.

The Orange and Black, with its steep rocky climbs and views of the bay, could be a hike in its own right for those having second thoughts about Precipice. 

But in this direction, after dropping into a tight descending staircase wedged within a rock crevice, it led me back to the rockslide I had climbed hours before.

With gravity on my side this time, I hopped from boulder to boulder, and made my way back to the parking lot. 

And without much rest, I prepped for the second hike of the day: Beehive Mountain.

Hiking Guide:

Distance: 2.04 Miles

Elevation Gain: 1,056 ft

0.0 Miles: Find the Precipice parking lot and trailhead on the Park Loop Road, 2.5 miles south of Bar Harbor

0.1 Mile: Climb up the first “gatekeeper” obstacle

0.2 Miles: Head up the rock slide boulder field 

0.4 Miles: Precipice Trail meets the Orange and Black Path. Keep left to continue on Precipice Trail, or back out here. Once you head up, there’s no turning around. 

0.7 Miles: Now that you cheated death, hang out at the summit for a bit and enjoy the view. You earned it. From the summit, follow the north ridge to the appropriately named North Ridge Trail.

1.2 Miles: Turn right to follow a spur trail to the Orange and Black Path

1.3 Miles: At the Orange and Black Path, bear right and enjoy the last few obstacles of the trip.

1.7 Miles: You’re back at the top of the rock slide. Take it down towards where you started this adventure.

2.04 Miles: It’s over. You didn’t die. Go celebrate by checking out more of Acadia.