Jasper Beach, Buck's Harbor, ME

This is one of the most unusual stone beaches I’ve ever visited. There are literally millions of fist-sized rounded polished stones, piled 30′ high along the shore. The approach & parking are easy, directly off ME-92 (Port Road) south of Machiasport. The beach faces Howard’s Cove.

There’s some unusual geology in plain sight.  Jasper is an iron enriched form of silica.  “Jasper” is a misnomer for the red stones found found on Jasper Beach, which are actually rhyolite, which comes from a volcanic source!  Rhyolite Beach doesn’t have a poetic ring to it, right?  Why quibble!

The noise of the water rolling and pushing the stones against each other is unique.  I urge you to try to hear it in the short video in this view.  It is a special kind of music.  Even more, I urge you to visit in order to hear it for yourself in person.

Because the change in water level from high tide to low tide are typically about 14′, the beach is unusually high, and quite steep in places.  This often takes visitors by surprise.

I had the place to myself at dawn, and I enjoyed one of the best photo sessions of my week.