Hike Cadillac South Ridge Trail
What to Expect
Safety Advisory
The upper two-thirds of this trail is fully exposed granite ridge with no shade and no shelter. In summer, this means sunburn and heat exhaustion are real risks — there is no water source on the entire route. In any season, lightning on the open ridge is dangerous, so bail if you see thunderheads building to the west.
Wet granite is remarkably slippery. After rain or morning dew, the smooth bedrock sections require careful footing, especially on the steeper pitches near the summit. Trekking poles earn their weight here.
Trail Details
Pro Tips
Start early and time your arrival at the summit for sunrise — you'll have the ridge views to yourself on the way up, and the dawn light hitting the granite is worth losing sleep over. The vehicle reservation system for the summit road means fewer cars up top than you'd expect.
The trail crosses one iron rung near the top, which is easy for adults but worth knowing if you're bringing kids or dogs. Speaking of dogs, the exposed granite gets scorching in summer afternoon sun — press your palm to the rock before letting your dog walk on it.
Make it a one-way hike by descending the shorter North Ridge Trail and catching the free Island Explorer shuttle (Route 4/5) back to your car at the Blackwoods Campground area. This cuts your mileage and gives you a completely different set of views on the way down.
Photos
NPS
