Precipice Trail: Acadia's Dangerous Hike with Iron Rung Ladders and Sheer Cliffs
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Date: 2023-08-24
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Comments and reviews: 27
Richard
Done it many times. Take the advice about not doing the Precipice during wet weather. I did it in March 2004 on a 40+ degree day when the snowmelt was rapid leaving only a few inches of snow on top of a sheet of solid ice, uhm, suboptimal from a risk mgmt perspective. To make a short story, I hit a ice sheet, lost footing (no crampons that day) and proceeded to do a death slide being saved only by one last sapling before taking a final flight. Fun fun! I descended from there, crawling backwards on all fours. If you do winter hikes in Acadia, carry your crampons. Also recommend the Beehive nearby. Try it in August - there's a spring fed pond on top that makes for a refreshing swim on a hot day. Or if you do it in winter some isolated skating.
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Done it many times. Take the advice about not doing the Precipice during wet weather. I did it in March 2004 on a 40+ degree day when the snowmelt was rapid leaving only a few inches of snow on top of a sheet of solid ice, uhm, suboptimal from a risk mgmt perspective. To make a short story, I hit a ice sheet, lost footing (no crampons that day) and proceeded to do a death slide being saved only by one last sapling before taking a final flight. Fun fun! I descended from there, crawling backwards on all fours. If you do winter hikes in Acadia, carry your crampons. Also recommend the Beehive nearby. Try it in August - there's a spring fed pond on top that makes for a refreshing swim on a hot day. Or if you do it in winter some isolated skating.
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Brian
Every time I do this trail I think of the poor men that had to carry those pieces of iron and tools to create those handrails and ladder rungs. Also every time I get to the top I think how I don't want to do it again. lol. We did this trail in July with three of our kids (16, 12, and 10, hiked down Champlain Ridge South and down Beehive. Going down Beehive was scary because it was super crowded and we had to wait for 10-15 on exposed cliffs at one point. Acadia is such an awesome place.
Also those blue marks are called blazes.
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Every time I do this trail I think of the poor men that had to carry those pieces of iron and tools to create those handrails and ladder rungs. Also every time I get to the top I think how I don't want to do it again. lol. We did this trail in July with three of our kids (16, 12, and 10, hiked down Champlain Ridge South and down Beehive. Going down Beehive was scary because it was super crowded and we had to wait for 10-15 on exposed cliffs at one point. Acadia is such an awesome place.
Also those blue marks are called blazes.
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travel
This is the Angel's landing of the east. I found this just as challenging as angels landing. The difference between the two is Angel's you hold onto chains for the most part to save you from falling where as Precipice youre using ladders and iron rungs. Honestly felt a tiny bit safer on angels, maybe because I'm a big guy and crawling up ladders I found challenging in spots.
Either way, both trails are must dos, and the payoff at the top of Precipice is simply Amazing! Great video thx for sharing!
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This is the Angel's landing of the east. I found this just as challenging as angels landing. The difference between the two is Angel's you hold onto chains for the most part to save you from falling where as Precipice youre using ladders and iron rungs. Honestly felt a tiny bit safer on angels, maybe because I'm a big guy and crawling up ladders I found challenging in spots.
Either way, both trails are must dos, and the payoff at the top of Precipice is simply Amazing! Great video thx for sharing!
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kelly
I love Acadia but I have bad vertigo and knee injuries so I cant trust myself on something so steep. But Acadia is beautiful so thanks for sharing your views. I can see why pops stayed in the car. Id just open my window to get some fresh air and nice ocean sounds and a good book. Can you imagine being one of the young men of the CCC who built that trail with all its ladders and railings
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I love Acadia but I have bad vertigo and knee injuries so I cant trust myself on something so steep. But Acadia is beautiful so thanks for sharing your views. I can see why pops stayed in the car. Id just open my window to get some fresh air and nice ocean sounds and a good book. Can you imagine being one of the young men of the CCC who built that trail with all its ladders and railings
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Lauren
My husband and I did this trail a few weeks ago, and it was definitely challenging! Absolutely worth the effort though, it was a lot of fun. We climbed Mount Fuji several years ago so that was by far the hardest, but Precipice is not to be taken lightly! Thanks for always putting out informative content.
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My husband and I did this trail a few weeks ago, and it was definitely challenging! Absolutely worth the effort though, it was a lot of fun. We climbed Mount Fuji several years ago so that was by far the hardest, but Precipice is not to be taken lightly! Thanks for always putting out informative content.
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Connie
Oh oh oh! No no no! Not for me. Pops made the best decision - stay put, wait for his adventurous (and I dare say foolhardy) offspring to return, and pray he's not accompanied by medical personnel. Having said that, I'm glad you enjoyed the trail. And, to those who want to go there, I say, Good Luck.
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Oh oh oh! No no no! Not for me. Pops made the best decision - stay put, wait for his adventurous (and I dare say foolhardy) offspring to return, and pray he's not accompanied by medical personnel. Having said that, I'm glad you enjoyed the trail. And, to those who want to go there, I say, Good Luck.
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Mixeddrinks
impressive talking and holding a camera. Isn't that a 360 camera on your backpack. might as well use that instead you mad lad. But the view is impressive. I probably would of hiked up the way you came down and go down the ladder section. Feels like it would be safer and easier perhaps haha.
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impressive talking and holding a camera. Isn't that a 360 camera on your backpack. might as well use that instead you mad lad. But the view is impressive. I probably would of hiked up the way you came down and go down the ladder section. Feels like it would be safer and easier perhaps haha.
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BlakeW5
So whats the best time to see this park and do this hike? Im guessing early October? Would hate to get all the way up there and the trail be closed for bird nesting or snow. Having said that, Im perfectly content to climb this in snow or ice, just didnt know if the parks service would allow it.
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So whats the best time to see this park and do this hike? Im guessing early October? Would hate to get all the way up there and the trail be closed for bird nesting or snow. Having said that, Im perfectly content to climb this in snow or ice, just didnt know if the parks service would allow it.
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Magellan
The one that got away. This was closed when we went because of the peregrines. There are plenty of rungs and ladders in the park as you probably found out, but this one is the most difficult. Not sure if you visited Baxter/Katahdin, but you have got to do that one! Great video as always.
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The one that got away. This was closed when we went because of the peregrines. There are plenty of rungs and ladders in the park as you probably found out, but this one is the most difficult. Not sure if you visited Baxter/Katahdin, but you have got to do that one! Great video as always.
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Sarah
I wanted to do this but it had not stopped raining for days so we noped out and went down one of the less traveled paths on Cadillac mountain and I fell hard there. Oops
Im going back next year and doing this! We did one of the shorter ladder hikes and it was awesome
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I wanted to do this but it had not stopped raining for days so we noped out and went down one of the less traveled paths on Cadillac mountain and I fell hard there. Oops
Im going back next year and doing this! We did one of the shorter ladder hikes and it was awesome
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Ursula
I was thinking about you last night, you have such a cool life, Josh! And It's so cool to see your Pops enjoying himself too. You have really made a niche for yourself on utube. I wish you continued success and great adventures! Thank you for your incredible videos!
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I was thinking about you last night, you have such a cool life, Josh! And It's so cool to see your Pops enjoying himself too. You have really made a niche for yourself on utube. I wish you continued success and great adventures! Thank you for your incredible videos!
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Subramanian
I feel that angels landing is only a mental challenge. But this one is both mental and physical challenge. I think people should consider those warnings seriously before attempting.
It is better to have safety ropes attached. this look way too scary.
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I feel that angels landing is only a mental challenge. But this one is both mental and physical challenge. I think people should consider those warnings seriously before attempting.
It is better to have safety ropes attached. this look way too scary.
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al
Hey Josh welcome to New England. My son and I have been to Acadia National Park every year and I still can't get enough of it. Four super views I would much rather drive up to Cadillac Mountain and really just enjoy the awesome views.
Awesome Video Josh!
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Hey Josh welcome to New England. My son and I have been to Acadia National Park every year and I still can't get enough of it. Four super views I would much rather drive up to Cadillac Mountain and really just enjoy the awesome views.
Awesome Video Josh!
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Matthew
My girlfriend and I were there back in mid-October and the colors were SPECTACULAR! We got to see the first Continental sunrise on Cadillac Mountain and then did Beehive and Jordan Pond. Regret not doing Precipice but glad to see it through your lens.
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My girlfriend and I were there back in mid-October and the colors were SPECTACULAR! We got to see the first Continental sunrise on Cadillac Mountain and then did Beehive and Jordan Pond. Regret not doing Precipice but glad to see it through your lens.
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Diana
Well done! I did that hike 10 years ago and to this date, after hiking all across the US, still consider it as one of the toughest and scariest! But reaching the top and the amazing view was well worth it! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
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Well done! I did that hike 10 years ago and to this date, after hiking all across the US, still consider it as one of the toughest and scariest! But reaching the top and the amazing view was well worth it! Thank you for sharing your journey with us!
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Mark
Acadia is beautiful been there a couple of times. Never hiked that trail but I will make it a point next time. One cool thing I did was kayak from Northwest bay out around the Great Cranberry Island definitely one of the highlights of my last visit.
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Acadia is beautiful been there a couple of times. Never hiked that trail but I will make it a point next time. One cool thing I did was kayak from Northwest bay out around the Great Cranberry Island definitely one of the highlights of my last visit.
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earth
I'm glad you gave this hike its' own dedicated video. I visited acadia this summer and did Beehive but Precipice was closed for falcon nesting. I was having a hard time picturing how Precipice could be worse than Beehive and now I know!
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I'm glad you gave this hike its' own dedicated video. I visited acadia this summer and did Beehive but Precipice was closed for falcon nesting. I was having a hard time picturing how Precipice could be worse than Beehive and now I know!
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Verlopil
Thank you for letting me experience that through you because there is absolutely no way I'd ever do that on my own. But please don't ever put yourself in any danger trying to get footage for us.
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Thank you for letting me experience that through you because there is absolutely no way I'd ever do that on my own. But please don't ever put yourself in any danger trying to get footage for us.
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Robert
Great vid! Take a moment to think about the people who installed all of those ladders. It makes me wonder just how. Probably from the top down while securely roped and harnessed.
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Great vid! Take a moment to think about the people who installed all of those ladders. It makes me wonder just how. Probably from the top down while securely roped and harnessed.
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Owen
We have loved hiking Acadia over the last several years. Thanks for sharing all of those precious travel moments with Pops! Your videos inspired us to drive 66 last year. Awesome!
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We have loved hiking Acadia over the last several years. Thanks for sharing all of those precious travel moments with Pops! Your videos inspired us to drive 66 last year. Awesome!
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Spacer
Wonder how it compares to the via ferratas in the Italian Alps, for anyone who's maybe done both. (I've done neither) Looks like a junior version of a via ferrata, kinda.
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Wonder how it compares to the via ferratas in the Italian Alps, for anyone who's maybe done both. (I've done neither) Looks like a junior version of a via ferrata, kinda.
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Lynette
Its Blazes! (Rather than marks. Like Where in the blazes am I? Granted, we dont blaze in the west. ( Wait til you see an intersection w multiple colors/shape blazes. )
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Its Blazes! (Rather than marks. Like Where in the blazes am I? Granted, we dont blaze in the west. ( Wait til you see an intersection w multiple colors/shape blazes. )
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Ursula
It was really cool watching you do it. I actually think I might pass on that one. Looks knarly! And you did Angels Landing! I'd be hanging with your dad.
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It was really cool watching you do it. I actually think I might pass on that one. Looks knarly! And you did Angels Landing! I'd be hanging with your dad.
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Louise
OMG I was freaking out just watching this video. Couple of times had to look away. Definitely a hard pass for me. Hats off to you for doing this hike.
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OMG I was freaking out just watching this video. Couple of times had to look away. Definitely a hard pass for me. Hats off to you for doing this hike.
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Danny
So cool to see you in my home state! Hope you do more in the future. Maine is full of amazing places like this, definitely worth a road trip video!
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So cool to see you in my home state! Hope you do more in the future. Maine is full of amazing places like this, definitely worth a road trip video!
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On
Great video Josh! I cant believe we were both in Acadia at the same time - looking forward to seeing your full Acadia video as we just released ours!
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Great video Josh! I cant believe we were both in Acadia at the same time - looking forward to seeing your full Acadia video as we just released ours!
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Eric
Wow! Incredible video! The scenery and views are epic. Congrats on making it to the summit. I was sweating just watching your video from my sofa!
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Wow! Incredible video! The scenery and views are epic. Congrats on making it to the summit. I was sweating just watching your video from my sofa!
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