Hiking the Pemetic Mountain South Ridge Trail in Acadia National Park
Distance: 3.4 miles / 5.5 km
With sweeping views of Jordan Pond, The Bubbles, Penobscot Mountain, and Sargent Mountain, Pemetic Mountain in Acadia National Park is a great day hike for those interested in escaping some of the nearby busier trails, like the Jordan Pond Path or the Beehive Trail.
By this, I mean that only a fraction of visitors venture up Pemetic Mountain compared to those who frequent the loop around Jordan Pond and The Bubbles, making it one of my favorite adventures on Mout Desert Island to go for a quiet hike!
U.S. National Park Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
Pemetic South Ridge Trailhead Parking
Parking for the Pemetic Mountain South Ridge Trail is located in the same trailhead parking lots used for the Jordan Pond Path.
That being said, it’s safe to say that if you don’t arrive early during the busy summer travel season, parking at Jordan Pond can be almost impossible to find.
With that in mind, there are three common places to park at Jordan Pond, which can all be used to hike Pemetic Mountain. First, there is the Jordan Pond Trailhead at the Jordan Pond House. Then, there is the overflow parking lot, just to the north of the main parking lot. Finally, there is a very small roadside parking area, which is the closest option for Pemetic Mountain and The Triad. This third option is great because it shortens the hike by about 0.3 miles (0.5 km) each way, but it is the smallest area of the three to find a spot, which is why parking at Jordan Pond can be more practical.
Remember to purchase your National Park pass in advance and display your pass or entrance receipt here and at every trailhead in Acadia National Park, whether you went through an official entrance station or not. Yes, law enforcement officers check parked cars throughout Acadia, and I have seen tickets handed out to vehicles not following the rules of a U.S. fee area.
On a different note, be aware that Acadia National Park is one of the busiest parks in the country, and finding a place to park, even at less-known trailheads, can be incredibly challenging during the busiest times of the year.
Google Maps Directions: Pemetic Mountain Trailhead
Hiking Checklist - Acadia
Here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Acadia National Park.
Osprey 3L Water Bladder - The Osprey 3L water bladder is the most universal hiking and backpacking water bladder on the market, and it’s my go-to because of the slide-off seal that allows it to be quickly filled from the top. Additionally, individual parts are easily replaceable, such as the bite valve.
Blister / Heel Protectors - I swear by these cheap, amazing heel protectors to prevent blisters for nearly every kind of hiking and backpacking that I do!
Black Diamond Headlamp - Personally, I recommend the Black Diamond Storm because it is one of the brightest, lightest, and longest-lasting headlamps on the market—and trust me, the weight-to-battery-life ratio really does matter!
Hiking / Trail Running Shoes - Depending on the type of trail, I prefer to use either the Keen Targhee for longer, more rugged hiking or the HOKA Zinal Trail-Running Shoe for lighter, less intense trails. In either case, both have been amazing to me for many years across countless environments, and both can be found in men’s and women’s sizes. - (Men’s Keen / Women’s Keen) (Men’s HOKA / Women’s HOKA)
Waterproof Rain Shell - You never know when it may rain, and I’ve learned over the years that a rain shell is far better than a rain jacket. By this, I mean that it’s best to have something that the water will roll right off of, which is why I recommend the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L available in both men’s and women’s sizes.
High SPF Sunscreen - Packing high-SPF sunscreen is a must for long days outside!
Hiking the Pemetic South Ridge Trail
Since there are numerous parking areas to begin the hike up Pemetic Mountain, I chose to begin at the north overflow lot at Jordan Pond, in order to show the entire adventure.
That said, go right immediately at the trailhead leading to the boat launch to follow the fastest route toward Pemetic Mountain.
Overflow Parking-Jordan Pond Junction
After the 0.2-mile (0.3 km) connector, the trail reaches the Jordan Pond Path, which it follows for less than 0.1 miles (0.2 km) before branching away.
Here, go right once again, and the trail up Pemetic Mountain will split away on the far side of the marsh.
Pemetic Mountain-Jordan Pond Junction
This is where the Pemetic Mountain Trail splits away from the Jordan Pond Path.
To continue up the Pemetic South Ridge, go right, or if you are curious about the full hike around Jordan Pond beyond this junction, you can read more in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Jordan Pond Path
Park Loop Road
This is where the Pemetic Mountain Trail crosses Park Loop Road, the closest trailhead mentioned earlier. This roadside parking area eliminates the first 0.3 miles (0.5 km) of the hike up the Pemetic South Ridge, but remember, it is small, meaning that parking can be hard to come by!
In any case, go straight across the road to continue up Pemetic Mountain and the split that marks the beginning of the Pemetic South Ridge Trail.
Google Maps Directions: Pemetic South Ridge Trailhead (Park Loop Road)
After crossing Park Loop Road, the trail continues up a gradual slope for about 0.4 miles (0.6 km) until it reaches the beginning of the Pemetic Mountain South Ridge Trail.
Pemetic Mountain South Ridge-Triad Junction
At this next split, go left to begin the Pemetic Mountain South Ridge Trail, as the trail continuing straight leads to the Triad Trail from the north.
That said, I personally recommend hiking the Triad Trail from the southern trailhead, as it makes for one of the best short sunset hikes in Acadia National Park, which you can learn more about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Triad Trail
From the base of the Pemetic South Ridge, the trail gains about 770 ft. (235 m) in just 1.1 miles (1.8 km) to the summit.
This is to say that the Pemetic South Ridge follows a near-constant incline, but it is not the steepest route to the top, nor is it the steepest compared to other similar summits in Acadia, such as the Goat Trail to Norumbega Mountain.
Some hikers may prefer to carry trekking poles for the uneven granite terrain, which can be especially useful on the hike back down.
As the trail climbs higher, shade on Pemetic Mountain becomes less and less frequent.
This is why I recommend hiking in a hooded sun shirt—something that can be said about a number of upper-elevation trails throughout Acadia National Park, such as Cadillac Mountain, Penobscot Mountain, and Sargent Mountain, to name just a few.
Pemetic South Ridge-Pemetic East Cliff Junction
After about 0.5 miles (0.8 km), the Pemetic South Ridge Trail meets the Pemetic East Cliffs Trail, an alternative route that branches off from the northern end of the Triad Trail.
From here, the two trails continue up the South Ridge to the summit, located roughly 0.6 miles (1.0 km) away.
The final section up Pemetic Mountain is the most exposed part of the entire hike.
It can be very sunny, windy, and much colder than the sections below, which is why I want to once again encourage good sun protection, as well as proper layers, since the weather on the New England coast can be much colder than expected.
Be sure to keep an eye out for the trail markers on the way up, as they navigate a few not-so-obvious turns instead of following the ridgeline straight to the summit.
Pemetic Mountain
According to the National Park Service, Pemetic Mountain stands at 1,237 ft. (377 m), making it the fourth-highest summit in Acadia National Park, above Penobscot Mountain, just across Jordan Pond to the west.
Those interested in hiking further than the 3.4-mile (5.5 km) out-and-back trail up the Pemetic South Ridge, shown here, can continue past the summit on the Pemetic North Ridge Trail to create a loop with the Jordan Pond Path, commonly known as the Pemetic Mountain Loop Trail.
Hiking down this way creates a roughly 5.0-mile (8.0 km) loop, which can be a great way to see more than just Pemetic Mountain in one adventure.
This is the view facing The Bubbles, Sargent Mountain, and Eagle Lake off in the distance.
More Acadia Adventures
If you’re interested in reading about some more amazing adventures within Acadia National Park, check out my separate posts below!
Mount Desert Island
Schoodic Peninsula
Best Way to Find Places to Stay!
Wherever I travel, I love to start my search for places to stay on VRBO.
Even if I don’t end up booking through them, I think it’s one of the best ways to see what’s in the area!
Washington
Best Way to Book Rental Cars!
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In short, Discover Cars is a well-known, reputable business that allows you to search for the best deal across companies, and they have the best full-refund cancellation policy I’ve ever seen, valid up to 72, or sometimes even 48, hours prior to your reservation!
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Safety
The biggest risks that the National Park Service highlights in Acadia National Park are largely associated with falls, whether on slippery, wet granite or down one of the countless dramatic cliffs found throughout the park.
This is true both in coastal areas and on unsuspecting upper-elevation trails—not just on well-known challenging hikes, like the Precipice and Beehive Trail.
That being said, prepare for all types of conditions, as New Englanders will tell you that layers are your best friend in Maine—especially on the Atlantic Coast!
Apart from this, be aware that there are Black Bears in Acadia National Park, though the National Park Service reports that encounters are very unlikely. Even so, hiking with bear spray is never a bad idea, regardless that Black Bears usually present less of a risk compared to Grizzlies. However, it’s truly up to your own discretion and comfort level.
As always, find the most up-to-date information and conditions on the official National Park website.
National Park Service: Acadia National Park
U.S. National Parks Pass
Did you know that the same America the Beautiful Pass that grants access to all 63 U.S. National Parks can be purchased in advance at REI?
Yes, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
More U.S. National Parks
If you’d like to read more about some of my best recommendations when visiting other U.S. National Parks, check out some of my other posts below!
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