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Beachcroft Path, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME
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Beachcroft Path, Acadia National Park, Hancock County, ME
Beachcroft Path (ACAD #13) is a highly constructed memorial path built in 1915 by George Dorr and the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association (VIA). The route starts at the north end of the Tarn and travels east to cross ME Route 3 and connects with a set of stone steps marked by a stone boulder engraved "Beachcroft Path." The path continues a short distance along a flat woodland trail with stone patio and steps before turning abruptly right, south, to begin a climb up the western side of Huguenot Head. Path construction has extensive stone work including walls, steps, patio, and coping stones that switch back sharply leading to open ledges with excellent views of the Tarn and Dorr Mountain, as well as north and south views of the Gorge. The path arrives south of Huguenot summit and dips down to skirt a small wetland nestled in the saddle between Huguenot Head and Champlain Mountain. The path then continues eastward up a steep scramble over collapsing stone steps and open ledges, terminating at the summit of Champlain Mountain.
Details
The Beachcroft Path (#13), as it is currently marked consists of three sections dating to different periods. The oldest section is the upper section from Huguenot Head (originally Round Peak or Picket Mountain) to the summit of Champlain (originally Newport Mountain). This section is shown on the first path map printed in 1896 as part of the Black and White Path (#326) that ascended from Beaver Dam Pool. The lower end of the Black and White Path is no longer marked. The section of the Beachcroft Path from the Tarn to ME Route 3 was originally built as part of the Kane Path in circa 1913.
The middle section of the Beachcroft Path, from Route 3 to Huguenot Head was built in 1915 with funds provided by Mrs. A Morton Smith, in memory of her husband, C. Morton Smith. It is likely that George Dorr orchestrated the gift and selected the route as part his vision for a trail system radiating from the Sieur de Monts Spring area. The 1914 BHVIA 25th Annual Report, Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Rudolph E. Brunnow, September 10, 1914, states, "I have also to announce that Mrs. Morton Smith has just made an equally generous offer [as Mrs. Kane] to present a Memorial Path in memory of her late husband, Mr. C. Morton Smith, whose interest in the development of our mountain trails continued in undiminished force when he was no longer able to enjoy them himself, and that she has decided, on the recommendation of the Committee, to have it on the western side of Picket Mountain, where it will lead from Gorge Road opposite to the entrance of the Kane Path to the summit of the mountain along a slope from which some very fine views of the ocean to the north and south are obtained. This path will form the principal connection between the system of paths running through Great Meadow which has been alluded to above and the trails leading over Newport Mountain and around its base to Schooner Head Road." Funds for trail construction in 1914 -1915 were directed through the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association when Rudolph Brunnow served as chairman of the Path Committee. Construction work was most likely supervised by Andrew Liscomb, superintendent of trails for the Bar Harbor VIA.
In 1919 path signs were added directing pedestrians to the Picket Mountain summit. Later in 1926, Mrs. Smith, frustrated by the lack of maintenance, pledged another $500 to improve the trail and another $500 to endow the trail with a maintenance fund in perpetuity. As a result the trail was "almost entirely rebuilt." (1926 BHVIA Annual Report). The 1926 BHVIA 35th Annual Report notes, "Of late years the Beachcroft Path up Picket Mountain has not been under our control. Last summer this path was in such bad condition that it had to be almost entirely rebuilt. It has now been returned to the VIA "in perpetuo" and Mrs Morton Smith the original donor of the path has generously given $500, which is to be invested and the income only used for the annual maintenance of the path." The report also states, "The Village Improvement Association herewith extends to Mrs. C. Morton Smith a vote of thanks and of warm appreciation for her generosity in restoring the Beachcroft Path to such excellent condition; and it agrees to assume the care of this path in perpetuo. It is voted that the grateful thanks of the Village Improvement Association be extended to Mrs. C. Morton Smith for her generous gift of Five hundred dollars. It is understood that the same shall be invested and only the income used each year to keep in good repair the Beachcroft Path up Picket and that all unexpected balance of income shall be kept each year and carried over to the next year.
The trail was maintained by the Bar Harbor VIA as one of their five endowed trails until the 1960s when care was transferred to the NPS. In 1960 the Bar Harbor VIA redirected the endowed funds towards the maintenance of the Shore Path in Bar Harbor.
Under NPS management, the trail has been referred to as the "Beechcroft Trail" to the summit of Champlain. However, a stone at the base of the trail on Route 3 is engraved with the original spelling of "Beachcroft." The original name comes from the Smith's summer cottage, also called "Beachcroft." When constructed in 1915 the lower end of the Beachcroft Path extended north towards Sieur de Monts Spring, as shown on the 1916 path map. The 1917 map shows a further extension in the same direction. The intent was to "form the principal connection between the system of paths running through Great Meadow...and the trails leading over Newport Mountain and around its base to Schooner Head Road" (1914 BHVIA Annual Report). However, by the mid 1920s this segment was no longer marked as evidenced on the 1926 path map.
The middle section of the Beachcroft Path, from Route 3 to Huguenot Head was built in 1915 with funds provided by Mrs. A Morton Smith, in memory of her husband, C. Morton Smith. It is likely that George Dorr orchestrated the gift and selected the route as part his vision for a trail system radiating from the Sieur de Monts Spring area. The 1914 BHVIA 25th Annual Report, Report of the Roads and Paths Committee by Rudolph E. Brunnow, September 10, 1914, states, "I have also to announce that Mrs. Morton Smith has just made an equally generous offer [as Mrs. Kane] to present a Memorial Path in memory of her late husband, Mr. C. Morton Smith, whose interest in the development of our mountain trails continued in undiminished force when he was no longer able to enjoy them himself, and that she has decided, on the recommendation of the Committee, to have it on the western side of Picket Mountain, where it will lead from Gorge Road opposite to the entrance of the Kane Path to the summit of the mountain along a slope from which some very fine views of the ocean to the north and south are obtained. This path will form the principal connection between the system of paths running through Great Meadow which has been alluded to above and the trails leading over Newport Mountain and around its base to Schooner Head Road." Funds for trail construction in 1914 -1915 were directed through the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association when Rudolph Brunnow served as chairman of the Path Committee. Construction work was most likely supervised by Andrew Liscomb, superintendent of trails for the Bar Harbor VIA.
In 1919 path signs were added directing pedestrians to the Picket Mountain summit. Later in 1926, Mrs. Smith, frustrated by the lack of maintenance, pledged another $500 to improve the trail and another $500 to endow the trail with a maintenance fund in perpetuity. As a result the trail was "almost entirely rebuilt." (1926 BHVIA Annual Report). The 1926 BHVIA 35th Annual Report notes, "Of late years the Beachcroft Path up Picket Mountain has not been under our control. Last summer this path was in such bad condition that it had to be almost entirely rebuilt. It has now been returned to the VIA "in perpetuo" and Mrs Morton Smith the original donor of the path has generously given $500, which is to be invested and the income only used for the annual maintenance of the path." The report also states, "The Village Improvement Association herewith extends to Mrs. C. Morton Smith a vote of thanks and of warm appreciation for her generosity in restoring the Beachcroft Path to such excellent condition; and it agrees to assume the care of this path in perpetuo. It is voted that the grateful thanks of the Village Improvement Association be extended to Mrs. C. Morton Smith for her generous gift of Five hundred dollars. It is understood that the same shall be invested and only the income used each year to keep in good repair the Beachcroft Path up Picket and that all unexpected balance of income shall be kept each year and carried over to the next year.
The trail was maintained by the Bar Harbor VIA as one of their five endowed trails until the 1960s when care was transferred to the NPS. In 1960 the Bar Harbor VIA redirected the endowed funds towards the maintenance of the Shore Path in Bar Harbor.
Under NPS management, the trail has been referred to as the "Beechcroft Trail" to the summit of Champlain. However, a stone at the base of the trail on Route 3 is engraved with the original spelling of "Beachcroft." The original name comes from the Smith's summer cottage, also called "Beachcroft." When constructed in 1915 the lower end of the Beachcroft Path extended north towards Sieur de Monts Spring, as shown on the 1916 path map. The 1917 map shows a further extension in the same direction. The intent was to "form the principal connection between the system of paths running through Great Meadow...and the trails leading over Newport Mountain and around its base to Schooner Head Road" (1914 BHVIA Annual Report). However, by the mid 1920s this segment was no longer marked as evidenced on the 1926 path map.
1.3 miles
Beginnning at the north end of the Tarn, the Beachcroft Path heads east to cross the Route 3 and up a set of stone stairs. The trail ascends the west side of Huguenot Head, down a gully and up a steep rocky path to the summit of Champlain Mountain.
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.
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..
Entry updated and revised by Gary Stellpflug and Terese Miller (November 2025).
Entry updated and revised by Gary Stellpflug and Terese Miller (November 2025).
U.S. Geologic Survey (USGS). “Archive database of 2021” at U.S. Geographic Information Names System (GNIS) (https://www.usgs.gov/us-board-on-geographic-names/download-gnis-data : accessed 31 May 2024).
