Western Brook Pond

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Trip Start Jul 06, 2007 Previous
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  Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland, Canada
Tuesday, July 24, 2007

A bit of info on the pond: Western Brook Pond fjord in Gros Morne National Park provides a dramatic setting for a boat tour. The Long Range Mountains, the northernmost extent of the Appalachians, contain numerous glacially-carved fjords. One of the most spectacular is the Park's largest lake, Western Brook Pond. This 11 mile lake with a depth of 500 feet is home to Atlantic Salmon, Brook Trout and Arctic Char, as well as a colony of cliff nesting gulls. From the parking lot there is a 45 minute walk to the dock. The trail carries you over the fragile coastal plain and bog, once located below sea level.

The big hike looms on the horizon...for me at least!  We have to hike more than a mile and a quarter into the bog/forest on a combination of gravel and boardwalk trail until we reach the so-called pond which looks more like the ocean to me. We were told this would take roughly an hour (for those who need to travel at a slower pace).  Of course I quickly fell behind John but I set my own pace and marched to the beat of my own drum. The bog and forest were beautiful but the wind was merciless...it was hot and the ever present flies and mosquitoes were attacking as usual. I got a real bad bleeder bite in the face on the way in but I kept trudging along. I told John earlier to go on without me because it was much easier to maintain my own pace without feeling I was holding him back and being rushed.
Because we got to the parking lot with less than the necessary hour for hiking, that put more pressure on me. There were some folks who caught up and passed me but they looked like speed-walkers!  I was literally the last person on the trail. I kept chugging along and to my credit I didn't stop once to rest even though it was tempting. I finally arrived at the dock with only five minutes to spare before sailing. The trek took me a total of 45 minutes.

I didn't feel too badly being last because there were lots of much older folks who I know must've started the hike at least two or three hours ahead of time! There are no rides into this place, everyone has to walk. There are two 165 passenger boats that leave at the same time.

Needless to say the two hour boat trip was breathtaking and I would advise anyone passing this way to take advantage of this opportunity. It was well worth the effort and the hike back was much easier for me.

After leaving here we headed south approximately two hundred miles for Port aux Basques to spend our eighth and last night on Newfoundland/Labrador before heading back to Nova Scotia.
We stayed at a B&B called Heritage Home which was located just across the highway from the ferry dock.

Port aux Basques is considered the hub of the Southwest Coast. The smaller communities use Port aux Basques for its commercial, retail, professional, recreational, and other related services. As the main "Gateway to Newfoundland," Port aux Basques provides an essential ferry service to Newfoundland and mainland Canada.

This area was socked-in with low clouds the entire time we were here but we did a bit of sightseeing and this is a really quaint village. Our room faced the docks and since the ships come and go around the clock, announcements can be heard loudly and clearly all night long!

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