Pemetic Mountain - Acadia National Park - 9/19/13

Thursday the 19th brought us another day of fine weather during our vacation.  We were getting used to the fantastic sunrises.  I always thought the coast was typically shrouded in fog in the morning, but a local told me that is not the case, especially in the fall. 



Is sunrise always like this?

 

The lobster fisherman are always out early

 

Here comes the sun

Following our viewing of the sunrise, we made our way over to Jordan Pond to do a loop hike of Pemetic Mountain.  The parking area for the trailhead was under reconstruction, so we had to park at the next parking lot to the south.  The climb of Pemetic Mountain from the northern end of Jordan Pond is relatively steep, but that approach put us up on the summit ridge pretty quickly.  On the ridge, it was just a couple minutes walk to the true summit. 

 

 

Pemetic Mountain summit with Eagle Lake in the background

There were views to be had in all directions.  Eagle Lake and Jordan Pond could be seen to the east, along the the long ridge of Penobscot Mountain and the Bubbles.  Cadillac Mountain was easily seen to the north.  To the south we could see Seal Harbor, Northeast Harbor and the ocean. 



 

Jordan Pond and Penobscot Mountain



 

Pemetic Mountain summit



 

Looking south to the ocean

 

Another look at Jordan Pond

 

The Bubbles, Jordan Pond and Penobscot Mountain

 

I believe that hiking the loop clockwise is the preferred alternative for several reasons.  First, I'd rather go up the steeper approach than down it, and second, if you are walking south on the ridge, you get a never ending view of the ocean in front of you.  Once down off the mountain we returned to the car via the trail along the east side of Jordan Pond.  Near the northern end of the pond, a beaver house was built right at the edge of the shore and we was the beaver swimming there in the area.  

 



 

Beaver in Jordan Pond

After lunch we left Mount Desert Island for the afternoon to scope out Stonington and the Archipelago for future kayaking exploration.  Isle Au Haut is in our future!  Advance planning is needed for that trip, since a reservation for a leanto on Isle Au Haut can only by done by mail and dates fill up fast.   

That night we stayed at a small motel in Trenton (the southernmost town before you enter Mount Desert Island.  It was time for a shower and a chance to freshen up.  Thursday we would be back in the park.


Hike Stats:
HIke Distance:  3.7 miles roundtrip
Hike Time:  2.5 hours (including all our stops)
Total Vertical Gain:  ~1000'



 

Our route (done clockwise)