Follow the Blue Blazes

The Precipice, Mt. Desert Island. 

Now there's a name for a hiking climbing trail.

This is the most challenging and well known hiking trail in Acadia National Park with an exposed and almost vertical 1,000 foot climb up the east face of Champlain Mountain. The trail is only recommended for physically fit and experienced hikers who have no fear of heights. 

My husband never shies away from a challenge...

 and really, one of these days I will learn to just let him go without me. 

The hike promised some pretty views, 

except the mountain soon became engulfed in clouds 

so the views went poof. 

 Yes, I climbed through that

because that is where the blue blazes were. 

I wasn't too sure about those old iron rails.  

But then again, they were better than nothing. 

 There were lots of tight squeezes.

 And there were too many ladder steps to count. Ugh. 

Looking down, there was not a soft landing below either. 

Coming down the other side 

was a little more sane. 

And once below the cloud over it was a lot more scenic.

Sadly, a couple weeks before we arrived,
a young woman fell to her death from this trail.
:(

It is dangerous.
Therefore, I did not attempt photos from some of the most dangerous sections
as I was keeping both hands otherwise engaged.