Flying High on Flying Mountain

Mother's Day at Acadia; who could ask for anything better?

We decided to revisit Flying Mountain, on "the quiet side" of Mount Desert Island, overlooking Somes Sound.  This is nice little hike with a rocky beach, some good climbing, a nice traverse, and an easy down.

Finding the trailhead is easy, too.  Once on MDI, bear left onto 102 south towards Southwest Harbor; follow approximately 9.5 miles.  Turn left on Fernald Point Road (Causway Golf Club sign at the intersection).  Follow Fernald Point Road for about a mile, the parking area is on the left just after the cove.

 

This is a nice loop trail we have done both directions.  This time, we started on the fire/carriage road rather than the trail.  The road is wide, grassy, lined with cedars, and about half a mile to the ocean.  This nice rocky inlet on Somes Sound has gentle lapping waves and nice views across the water to Seargeant Drive. 

 From the beach, the trail leads up and over Flying Mountain and arrives back at the parking area in just about three quarters of a mile. Walking up the northern side of Flying Mountain, nicely placed stone staris make the ascent very fun for litte legs.

The up is just about a quarter of a mile and the trail traverses the top of the ridge and over some nice exposed rock.  The summit is an unbelievable 284 feet above sea level, but the views over Somes Sound and the open Atlantic are beautiful.  The descent is very short, and bumps over some rocky spots until the nice piney areas drop right into the parking area. 

After the hike, a trip into Southwest Harbor for lobster is fun.  Southwest Harbor is bustling during the summer season when things are open, but if SWH is shut tight, the Town Hill Market heading back on 102 has sandwiches and ice cream! 



This is last year, but I love how much
she grew in just a year!



 Map at:  http://www.nps.gov/pwr/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm?alphacode=acad&parkname=Acadia%20National%20Park