Day 16.
Quick action and Joanna secured two tickets (lucky for us last minute cancellation) for boat tour of West Brook Pond as we were driving to Gros Morne National Park. We arrived just in time for short, lazy walk from parking lot to boat dock (on return we took different trail). Good opportunity to observe boreal ecosystem along the trail. West Brook Pond is ex-fjord, now cut off from the sea due to lower sea level. The boat was packed. Guides were good. It was relaxing and informative experience.
In the afternoon we spent some time at Green Point, wandering on stony beach, investigating rocks, deposits and fossils from 500 MYA Cambrian-Ordovician boundary exposed in cliff and on shore, somewhere between almost vertical layers. We still had some time left for short walk to Gull Pond near Berry Hill Campground where we settled for two nights.
«« Scroll to view more rocks and fosills »»
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☞ Larger-size photos in nature gallery
Day 17.
Plan for the day is clear: summit Gros Morne. 17-km loop (we walked 19 km with extra viewpoints etc.), 750m elevation gain and decent scramble on the way up (The Gully). We knew it was steep but, it execeeded our expectation. We left our car at the trailhead parking lot and started walking on good, well marked trail. Not too many hikers that day. Weather perfect. Download GPX file
Yes, we struggled a bit in The Gully, but once on top we did ok and descent was easy. No rush. We were rewarded by great views, especially on the other side of the summit. Distant views were quite hazy. No way we could not remember Ben Nevis hike in Scotland and final scramble on that famous pile of stones with panoramic 360° view from top. We spent all day on the mountain before retreating, quite tired, to Berry Hill Campground.
Day 18.
“Rest day” as we were still feeling The Gully in our legs. We are transferring to Trout River (campground) driving with stops on the way at Woody Cove, Woody Point and Discovery Centre. Many good views across water surrounded by green hills. At the end of the day we walked to Trout River Little Pond (next to campground) and short Estern Point Trail along cliff above Trout River village for sunset. Finished the day with scalops and seafood chowder dinner at Seaside Restaurant.
Day 19.
We started the day by walking to Green Gardens and exploring the shoreline, followed by short walk on Tablelands Trail. The day was about rocks derived from the Earth upper mantle deep underneath ocean crest, thrown all over the place. Peridotite: light rusty to dark orange on the surface, dark green inside, and metamorphosed to serpentinite, heavy and rich in iron. And volcanic rocks (basalts) on the coast. Download Piotr’s GPX file
«« Scroll to view more rocks »»
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☞ Larger-size photos in nature gallery
Joanna was a bit disappointed and thought it would be more interesting to spend entire day exploring Tablelands rather than hiking Gros Morne (although it was good hike too and apparenly with best views). Lack of prep work showed this time, we did not know that “no trail” route to the top of Tablelands was well shown on a map and almost a trail. We found some time to investigate small plants growing between rocks. Ended the day at Lomond Campground, Piotr setting up our camper and tending camp fire, Joanna cooking. Another great 19 km walking day.
Day 20.
Joanna decided to walk in the morning to Stanleyville, abandoned logging village, Piotr packed the camp and we were leaving Gros Morne. We stopped in Deer Lake to pick-up some supplies and talk to rangers at Visitor Center. Grabbed quick lunch from Off The Hook Fish & Chips food truck (fresh and good). With a tip from the rangers we found Gros Morne Coffee Roasters (recommended). Great place to buy good coffee and try some fresh brew, and talk.
It was decission time where to go next. Decided to visit Cape St George and next day continue south-east across the island to Burgeo and Sandbanks Provincial Park. We are leaving eastern part of Newfoundland for a future visit.
The rest of the afternoon was just driving, good part of it on Trans Canada Hwy 1. Rather uneventful. We stopped at The Gravels (Port au Port) and then followed Rte 460 along south coast all the way to the tip of Cape St George. We decided to stay at Inn at the Cape rather than camp at Boutte du Cap Park. The Inn was the best guesthouse of our entire trip (recommended). Very comfortable, well organized (laundry room, home made breakfast) and great hosts. The campground has great (tempting) location though. We made a run for the Boutte viewpoint to catch sunset. Serious clouds, but big rain never materialized.
