From collection Place
This difficult summit and cliff-side trail was originally a segment of the Orange and Black Path, part of the colored path system, which extended from the High Seas estate on Schooner Head Road (#328) to Hanging Steps on southeast side of Champlain Mountain (#348). The route now starts at Park Loop Road and forks at a stone patio, one end leads south to Precipice Path (#11) and the other to Champlain Ridge to intersect with the Bear Brook Trail (#10). The section of trail above Park Loop Road was rerouted to the south of a ravine, but original stonework visible in the ravine. The tread is ledge, stone paving, steps, and gravel. Notable VIA stonework at the "patio" section at the current trail fork, which also used to contain a stone bench that fell in a 1990s rock slide. The route contains several long original VIA staircases, some winding, all very carefully laid with regular rises, runs and coping. Steps are uncut but broken square. VIA coping wall is large boulders piled on sloping ledge, with tread behind. A moderately used and beautifully constructed trail that winds through rock formations with excellent views of the Atlantic Coast. The trail is highly eroded in many areas. CB, MB, GJS
