Perpendicular Trail/Mansell Mountain (Acadia National Park)

This was an incredible hike.   Not only was it a fun challenge, but I only saw one other group of hikers during the three mile hike.  Considering it was a beautiful 70° sunny Sunday morning it was amazing to have the trail to myself.   

I parked at the small parking lot at the end of Long Pond Road and hiked the first relatively flat 1/4 mile along the shore of Long Pond.  At that point the Perpendicular Trail formally starts.   It's appropriately named, given that it climbs 1,000 feet in elevation in one mile, up a series of stone stairs and a section of rungs.   The trail tops out at a false summit, an open rockface with great views of Somes Sound.  After a quick snack break I continued to the actual summit, which is wooded with no views.   

I descended down the steep Mansel Mountain trail to Gilley Field and then took a short connector trail to my car.  

This was a great hike and an excellent workout.