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South Bubble

Maine > -Acadia NP
Warning Access Issue: Annual Trail Closures to protect Peregrine falcons DetailsDrop down

Description

South Bubble offers a handful of easy to moderate trad and TR climbs. The lower slabs offer friction and face climbs, while the upper walls offer routes of moderate difficulty on vertical terrain. Despite being a small area, it is possible to climb all day. So when the crowds are swarming to Otter Cliffs and Precipice, South Bubble will likely remain viable.

The cliff faces south, getting great early sun. The rock drys quickly after a rainfall. If the rain continues, walk out and drive to the other side of Jordan's Pond for a famous blueberry popover. This is actually a productive place to be since you can watch the conditions over the cliff from your lunch table!

A standard rack and 50m rope are needed to climb here. Like most other climbing areas in Acadia, the best conditions typically exist from May to October.

Be warned, South Bubble also has some popular hiking trails that crawl over and around the cliff. There is a good chance one of these hikers will unknowingly knock down loose rock and send it flying. Wear a helmet!

Getting There

the cliff is easily spotted from the park road when coming from the south (or coming from Precipice, Great Head, or Otter Cliffs since the portion of the road they are on is one-way). From Bar Harbor direct, follow the Park Loop Road past the turn off for the one-way section. Continue past the Cadillac Mt. summit road, Bubble Pond parking, to the Bubble Rock parking which will be on the right. A bit past here on the right is additional parking. Walk down the stone stair case and follow the obvious trail up the cliff

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Overview of Cliff from the base near Lower Slabs
[Hide Photo] Overview of Cliff from the base near Lower Slabs
South Bubble from the road.
[Hide Photo] South Bubble from the road.
Good ole' bubble romp
[Hide Photo] Good ole' bubble romp
View of South Bubble from Jordan Pond
[Hide Photo] View of South Bubble from Jordan Pond
ben rapping out @ the end of the day.
[Hide Photo] ben rapping out @ the end of the day.
charlie and ben hanging out at the bottom of the upper slab at south bubble
[Hide Photo] charlie and ben hanging out at the bottom of the upper slab at south bubble
A team of Waldos reach the top of the upper slab, post Halloween 2009
[Hide Photo] A team of Waldos reach the top of the upper slab, post Halloween 2009
Looking up the upper slab to the top chunky stuff
[Hide Photo] Looking up the upper slab to the top chunky stuff