ACADIA VOL 1 - Hiking the most Beautiful and Popular Trail - THE OCEAN PATH

Discover the Ocean Path, a 2.2 mile trail hugging Acadia's rugged and photogenic rocky coast, on an overcast and moody fall morning at first light. This trail is pure magic and one of the most easily accessible and doable trails in the park. The intoxicating scent of fresh Balsam Fir and Spruce filled the air, as the crushed gravel path weaved gently through the conifers, and followed tantalizingly close to, and above the shoreline. At point after point short spur trails allowed stunning views over the North Atlantic and rocky coast. Sea birds soared above, as lobster boats set out to sea. This was the iconic and unforgettable setting I had come to see. The raw conditions left the trail virtually deserted as I continued on in awe and bliss at the maritime scene unfolding before me. I reached a small beach with untold numbers of perfectly rounded stones that rolled and tumbled in the undulations of the waves. Time flew by as I soaked in every moment of this blessed trail, and soon many more folks began to appear. I reached Thunder Hole a geological formation where huge waves and booming sounds can be heard and seen and sometimes felt from the safety of a deck and guard rail. Soon I reached Monument cove where eons of weathering have created spectacular geological formations. I came to yet another lookout this time looking down over Sand Beach, Acadia's only traditional flat and sandy shoreline. I was looking to get away from the crowds which were massing and headed inland to make my return to Otter Point via Gorham Mountain.