The ‘Four Bald Peaks’ are Bald Peak (970′), Parkman Mountain (930′), Gilmore Peak (1030′), and Sergeant Mountain (1379′).  These are all mountains whose peaks are above the tree line and afford great panoramic views.  The last, Sergeant Mountain, offers a view of Cadillac Mountain, the pinnacle of Mount Desert Island and Acadia National Park.

Bald Mountain Trail

The trail starts with the ‘Bald Mountain Trail’.  This trail starts along a creek bed with thousands of riffles along the first part of the climb.  The face of the mountain is toward the SW and the light the stream is gorgeous in the afternoon during spring.  High water years can be spectacular here.  The climb is steep and rewarding.

Trail Marker with Lichen

Lichen and Trail Marker

As the trail ascends past the first carriage road crossing the landscape becomes more barren.  The color of the lichen is one of the more gorgeous parts of this straight up hike.

Cedar Grove

Cypress Grove

Further up the trail there is the occasional verdant landscape, surprising but comforting, in this case a respondent cedar grove.

Bald Peak Summit

Bald Peak Summit

Bald Peak, 970′, with great views to the south. The western view is dominated by Norumbega Mountain, something of a meatloaf obscuring views to Somes Sound.

Lower Hadlock Pond is visible here, with Norumbega Mountain to the right.

Parkman Mountain Summit

The hike to Parkman Mountain is tricky with a pack in a couple of places.  It’s not arduous, but one does wonder…. The valley between Bald and Parkman is lush and gorgeous and could be a destination in afternoon light.

Upper Hadlock Pond is now visible with Norumberga more obvious.

View from Gilmore Peak

Gilmore Peak Summit

This view to the south is a little more clipped than from Bald Peak.  The view NW opens up; points along Somes Sound are visible…well worth the hike.

Start of Grandgent Trail

Grandgent Trail

After a steep descent along Grandgent Trail to Maple Spring Trail, the most difficult part of this hike, Grandgent Trail begins a stiff climb up a creek bed to Sargent Mountain.

Suprising Flora on Grandgent Trail

This part of the trail is surprising, grass lined with large deciduous trees, reminiscent of a farm landscape.

View from Sergeant Mountain Summit

Sargeant Mountain Summit

A view SSW to the Cranberry Islands and the western arm of Mount Desert Island. Lower Hadlock Pond can be seen on the far right just above the trees.  An incredibly wide vista her, very satisfying, even when exhausted.