Hike Acadia's 6 Peak Circuit

Park yourself at Parkman Mountain Parking Area, a small lot located off of Route 3.  Remember to arrive early as this parking lot fills up quickly.  Load up your pack, grab your water, and maneuver your way through the carriage roads until you reach the Bald Peak Trailhead.  After a mile climb up 974 feet, reward yourself with a sip of water at the Bald Peak summit.

To continue on your six peak adventure, follow Bald Peak Trail only 0.3 miles to Parkman Mountain (Little Brown) at 941 feet.  For the next half mile, follow the Grandgent Trail to reach Gilmore Peak.  Anxious to reach Acadia’s second tallest peak, trek up the Grandgent Trail another half mile to Sargent Mountain.  At 1373 feet, this is a great spot to take out your lunch and enjoy your surroundings.  Trek down Sargent mountain via East Cliffs Trail for 0.8 miles and be sure to look up and catch a glimpse of Jordan Pond. To ascend the second to last peak, follow the Deer Brook Trail for 0.5 miles and take the 0.1 mile trail to the summit of Penobscot Mountain at 1194 feet. 

Five peaks later, you can’t help but be drenched in your own sweat.  Simply follow signs towards Cedar Swamp Mountain and open your eyes to a crystal clear, lukewarm watering hole.  Known as Sargent Mountain Pond, this is one of Acadia National Park’s best kept secrets.  Accessed by foot, this is only for the motivated hiker. 

Find a flat rock to dry yourself off with the heat of the sun and hike up Cedar Swamp Mountain via Sargent South Ridge Trail for half a mile.  Head back to the parking lot on Birch Spring Trail and finish up the hike on Hadlock Brook Trail. Voilà !