Beech Cliff Ladder Trail, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

From collection Place

A short, moderately used, very steep ladder trail from Echo Lake parking to top of Beech Cliff ledges. Built by the CCC but extensively overhauled by NPS in the 1980s. Route starts from parking area as asphalt then ascends by bench cut with switchbacks up slope. Steep sections stabilized in 1980s with log cribbing retaining walls and railings to prevent shortcutting. Some areas now eroded due to water flow. Some historic CCC stonework in talus slope plus additional 1980s NPS stonework. At upper end, series of ladders used to ascend cliff face. Perhaps original CCC ladders were wood. NPS replaced ladders in 1976 and added 1980s logwork at top. A 1986 inventory lists 4 ladders, 5 cable railings, 8 cedar railings, 303 steps, 617 feet of walls, and 241 feet of asphalt. The route offers a rapid and challenging ascent from pond-side to exposed ladders to open summit ledges with great views across Echo Lake towards Acadia and St. Sauveur Mountains. GS, SB, MB

Significant Dates

1936 - circa 1941

Historical Context

The section of trail above the cliff to the Beech Mountain Road was built circa 1906 and is shown on the 1906 path map. This portion of the trail was described in the 1915 path guide as a section of the Beech Mountain Trail, the route described as "From head of Great Pond over Beech Mountain to Beech Cliff." The 1916 path map shows this upper section marked as trail #25. Work on the Cliff section was begun by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the fall of 1935 and carried out throughout the spring for summer use in 1937 (CCC Records, National Archives).A November 1935 progress report states, "There is little change on the new trail leading around the southern end of Beech Cliff from the Boys Camp. A portion of the route runs across a rock slide of Lichen-covered granite, and in order to make even a very narrow path without leaving a scar of any kind it is necessary to fill holes among the rocks with other rock taken from locations invisible from the trail or the road below. This makes construction rather slow, but so far results seem to justify it (CCC Records, National Archives).A report by B. L. Breeze, dated December 16, 1935 describes the following work on Beech Cliff Trails: "work on the summit trail about 80% complete....the ladder trail from the Boy's Camp is complete....the new trail leading from the Boy's Camp entrance road to connect with the Ladder Trail has been started. Starting from the same point, it is proposed to carry another trail around the other end of Beech Cliff to connect with the new trail around Beech Mountain to Long Pond" (CCC records, National Archives).

Distance (e.g., miles)

0.5 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

From Echo Lake parking area, up to junction of Canada Cliff Trail and Beech Cliff Loop.

Latitude (decimal)

44.31952

Longitude (decimal)

-68.3361

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.

GNIS/GNS Feature ID

1911399

NRHP Property ID

100007602

ACAD Trails ID

106

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.