Caution... Acadia

Precipice Trail Bridge, October 2008

Just last week, there was news out of Acadia of yet another serious injury in the Park. And once again, it was on the Precipice Trail. About three or four years ago, a college student fell to her death on the trail. This time, a 67-year old hiker survived a fifteen foot fall on his way down from the summit of Champlain Mountain. It took thirty rescue workers and a helicopter to get him off the mountain.

I hiked the trail in 2008 when I was tired from photographing the park all week and wanted something different to do. I wouldn't have made it to the top if it hadn't been for an energetic local guy who kept urging me on and on, until I had made it to the top. I'm glad I did, but there are some hairy parts on the trail, with ledges you traverse flattened against the side of the mountain as well as ladder rungs bolted into the rocks to climb the vertical rock face.

Would I recommend the Precipice Trail? Absolutely! But please be careful. You don't want to be the next person on the national park's injury report, or their next fatality.