From collection Place
A moderately used summit path is an easy woodland and ledge scramble with great views of the ocean and the sound. Trail begins at parking area on Valley Cove Road reaches summit and then turns along edge of cove and eventually ties in with Acadia Mountain (#101) and /St.Sauveur Mtn Trail (#102). The route is slightly winding in its ascend through woods, then climbs quickly on ledges to the summit, which is covered with stands of trees, juniper and blue berries. Remnants of eyebolts suggest that a tower structure once placed on the summit. The descent on the north side is steep and direct with some very small steps (some 1 foot across with 8" stepping surface). There is a spur to an overlook before the steep descent down the north side. Northern descent is heavily eroded, as much as 2-foot gullies, with some remaining steps and some collapsed. From shoreline at Valley Cove and end of Valley Cove Road, trail continues north along edge of cove, with extensive CCC stonework. This section contains some large steps, with 15" risers. A few of the blocks set in the tumbledown measure 6x4x2 feet. Staricases are as long as 50 steps, but many have slipped. One section of steps was rearranged or demolished by 1992 AMC work. Near upper ledges, there are small runs of steps, some as wide as 3 feet. On woodland section at the head of the cove there is also a section of log cribs filled with stones and beach gravel. One stream at northern end is crossed by two large cubic blocks that appear to be uncut original work. There are also several sections of 1996 bogwalk, which replace a string of stepstones now off in woods. There are two original stone culverts - one capped - and some pinned, plus some 1990s log waterbars. Iron is used for one section of steps, with coping pinned to ledge. Pins hold coping along downhill side of steps. Many pins have rusted and coping has fallen, leaving sections empty and allowing other steps and coping to shift. Coping walls are mostly very square stones along ledge that often lines staircases, and some have been lost. Retaining wall is often rubble-laid, though some sections are carefully laid, using stones up to 2x2 feet. One section is 30' high by 15' wide, and holds a staircase of small square stones. On the highly crafted section north of the cove, trail is unlike any other in the park, both because of its route and remarkable stonework. The ocean is a constant presence in all sections of this trail. This northern section is closed from mid spring through mid summer for nesting peregrine falcons. CB, PC, SB, MB
