Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME

A moderately difficult and lightly used woodland and ledge summit trail with great views to west across Long Pond. Width of trail varies between 2-4’. Trail begins by pump house at southern end Long Pond parking and remains rather flat and wooded. Trail crosses split-log bridges and CCC closed and capped culverts (about 6 stone culverts and 3 pipe culverts) before beginning occasionally open and steep climb up loose, highly erodible soil. CCC stone lined v-shaped inside ditch attempts to drain water before it crosses the trail but is ineffective. NPS steps added to stabilize and define treadway, but additional stabilizationwork needed. NPS and AMC stone and wood waterbars direct water off of trail, but scree is ineffective. Halfway up trail, AMC rugged steps and iled retaining walls may have disassembled CCC or VIA slab laid steps in talus area. Near summit trail joins Beech Mountain Loop Trail (#113). An unmarked spur off the trail leads to a swimming area on the eastern shore of Long Pond.

Significant Dates

circa 1915

Historical Context

A wood road up Beech Mountain is shown on the 1896 path map, but appears to be to the east of the existing trail (see trail #602). This may be a case of rough map marking or a different trail. The trail is not shown as continuing over the summit of the mountain until the 1906 path map."Beech Mountain Trail" described as a new trail in the 1915 Seal Harbor VIS 15th An Rpt, work attributed to Mr. Buell and SWHVIS.Described in the 1915 path guide as the Beech Mountain Trail, "From head of Great Pond over Beech Mountain to Beech Cliff. Shown on the 1916 path map as trail #25.

Distance (e.g., miles)

0.9 miles

Route (e.g. trail)

From the Valley Trail to the summit of Beech Mtn.

Latitude (decimal)

44.30952

Longitude (decimal)

-68.3478

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

1911406

NRHP Property ID

100007602

ACAD Trails ID

108

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.