Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail   The approach to Beech Mountain from the West Ridge Trail is steep, but short. The trailhead is off of an un-named dead-end dirt road that runs north off of Lavery Spring Road, another dirt road that terminates at the lower east shore of Long Pond. The trail descends immediately from the little dirt road cul-de-sac to a little stream. After this brief 50-yard descent, it's all uphill, and steep to boot. The hiker is rewarded with views towards Long pond     below to the west and Mansell Mountain beyond as he/she ascends. The views tend to get better as you go higher (imagine that?), although the trail alternates between wooded and fairly open rock, meaning that the good views are sporadic. After 6/10 of a mile you'll come to a trail intersection. The Beach Mountain Loop trail heads left (north) towards the parking area off of Beech Hill Road. You'll want to go to the right/straight, where you can make the final 1/10 of a mile push to the summit of Beech. The last 1/10 of a mile is pretty easy going, compared to the ascent to this point. With about 100 yards to go you'll come across a small structure on your right that looks to be the former   privy for the occupants of the fire tower on top of the mountain. The fire tower on top, incidentally, is abandoned and barred to entry, but you can still climb up one level to get even better views. And it only makes sense that a mountain with a fire tower on top is going to have great views, which Beech Mountain does. The hiker gets almost a 360 degree view, with the only direction really blocked being to the northwest. Very impressive views of Mansell Mountain and the Western Mountain grouping of mountains is offered to the west. To the northeast you can find a good view of Echo Lake and the higher peaks of the interior of Acadia to the northeast. All told, this hike is only 0. 7 miles from bottom to top. But, you ascend 759 feet in this 0. 7 miles, which is fairly steep. I'm a 47-year old guy in reasonable hiking shape, and an average hiking pace got me to the top in 43 minutes. The descent took 30 minutes. In summary, Beech Mountain is a very rewarding short hike. A bit strenuous, but you'll be rewarded with very impressive views, a neat fire tower and in all likelihood, considerable solitude (I didn't come across anyone). Says Kevin Corcoran            Map Map Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail.   Trails Near Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail: Flying Mountain Trail, Hancock County , 1 miles away Saint Sauveur Mountain Trail, Hancock County , 2 miles away Valley Peak Trail, Hancock County , 2 miles away Acadia Mountain Trail, Hancock County , 2 miles away Bald Peak Trail, Hancock County , 4 miles away   Camp Grounds Near Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail: Smuggler's Den Campground, Southwest Harbor , 1 miles away White Birches Campground, Southwest Harbor , 1 miles away Mount Desert Campground, Hancock County , 3 miles away Quiet Side Campground, Bass Harbor , 4 miles away Camp Store, Mount Desert , 4 miles away   Whitewater Near Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail: Union River, Hancock County , 15 miles away, Class I-II - 0.5 miles long (Ellsworth Falls to Ellsworth) Blue Hill Falls, Hancock County , 15 miles away, Class III - 1 miles long (Route 175 - Tidal Reversing Falls) Branch Lake Stream, Hancock County , 17 miles away, Class III-V - 4 miles long (Branch Lake to Infant Street in Ellsworth) Tannery Brook River, Hancock County , 22 miles away, Class I-III - 4.5 miles long (Route 180 to Graham Lake) Narramissic River, Hancock County , 25 miles away, Class II - 16.3 miles long (Denham to Alamoosook Lake)   Public Lands Near Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail: Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor - ME , 10 miles away Maine Acadian Culture, Bar Harbor - ME , 10 miles away Lamoine State Park, Maine , 8 miles away Holbrook Island Sanctuary State Park, Maine , 31 miles away Fort Point State Park, Maine , 34 miles away   Hotels Near Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail: Isleview Motel and Cottages, Trenton , 6 miles away Open Hearth Inn, Trenton , 7 miles away Belle Isle Motel, Bar Harbor , 7 miles away Acadia Sunrise Motel, Trenton , 7 miles away Highbrook Motel, Bar Harbor , 8 miles away   Lakes Near Beech Mountain West Ridge Trail Morancy Pond, Hancock County , 19 miles away Jones Pond, Hancock County , 19 miles away Green Lake, Hancock County , 20 miles away