Beehive Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

A ladder trail with steep inclines and sharp dropoffs, the trail leaves from the Bowl Trail (#6) and ascends the Beehive on ledges. The top of the trail intersects Bowl Trail (#6) and Beehive West (#8), and the unmarked Blue and White Path (#337) and Brown Path (#351). The climb is dramatic and exposed with views of the Atlantic Coast and Sand Beach. The predominant built feature is a series of iron rungs and railings which hikers must ascend. The route also contains an iron bridge and a log bridge, with stringers over pins anchored into ledge. Most of the ironwork is original and some is replaced. At the eastern end of the trail, some VIA slab-laid steps with no sidewalls are evident. There are 1990s random-sized stone steps and sidewalls. Heavily used, sections of trail not on ledge are highly eroded.

Significant Dates

1916

Historical Context

A exhilarating, rigorous cliff trail that ascends the face of the Beehive via iron rungs and boulders. The 1916 BHVIA 27th An. Rpt., Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Rudolph E. Brunnow, Sept 14, 1916 states, "The only new path that was built is the one on the steep southern face of the Beehive, the cost of which was defrayed by the joint contributions of Mrs. Draper, Miss Carpenter, Mr. Hale, and your Chairman." The 1918 BHVIA 29th An. Rpt., Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Frederic Delano Weekes, Chairman states, "about 150 feet of corduroy bridges built and all iron railings and ladders down and along Cliff, Ladder and Beehive trails carefully inspected and painted." The 1926 BHVIA 35th An. Rpt notes the "...painting iron rails and ladders on the Precipice trails up Newport Mountain and Beehive..."

Distance (e.g., miles)

0.8 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

From Bowl Trail near Sand Beach parking area, up face of the Beehive, over summit to junction of Gorham Mtn. and Bowl Trails.

Latitude (decimal)

44.3339691

Longitude (decimal)

-68.1880673

Significance

The historic trail system of Acadia National Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognized for its national significance and ties to the history of Mount Desert Island and establishment of the park. The system's period of significance starts in 1844 and ends in 1942. The listing encompasses 109 trails traversing 117 miles on Mount Desert Island (some extending outside the park) and includes 18 memorial plaques, 12 viewpoints, and unique engineering features.

Authoritative Source

Microsoft Access database used in preparation of report Pathmakers: Cultural Landscape Report for the Historic Hiking Trail System of Mount Desert Island by Coffin Brown, Margaret, Jim Vekasi, et. al. U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Washington, DC (2006); accessed June 2024.

External URL2

https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/search/names