Final Days on NF

(2022 Newfoundland Ep 14)

Our time on NF was coming to a close.  After six weeks on the island, we had just a few days before we were scheduled to leave via ferry.

In early August we camped in Gros Morne NP, three days at the southern area of the park at Trout River Pond and three days at Cow Head to the north.  It was mid-September and to round out our visit to Gros Morne, we camped for three additional days in the middle of the park. 

We started with the small town of Rocky Harbor where we shopped for supplies and souvenirs.  Nearby we visited the Lobster Cove Head Light for views of the harbor and distant seacoast. 

The next morning we endured the longest hike of our trip through meadows and balsam fir forest to Baker’s Brook Falls.  We enjoyed the beautiful stairstep falls and had two aggressive birds join us for lunch!   

On the hike back from the falls, we visited an interesting moose ‘ex-closure’ to observe the impact of moose grazing on area vegetation. Inside a 100-meter-square fenced area, the trees and undergrowth were dense and lush.  Outside, there were scattered trees, grasses and limited undergrowth.  Though we didn’t see many moose during our NF travels, their impact in the area was very evident!

We saw our final views of Gros Morne and the distant coast from atop Berry Hill after hiking up a short and steep trail.  It was a scenic end to our visit.

We camped at Barachois Pond Provincial Park midway on our final 200 miles to Port aux Basques.   During an evening bike ride and hike, we saw a shadowy critter scurrying along the edge of the pond. It was likely a wet otter, not a NF chupacabra.

Barachois Pond was a remote and quiet ending to our time on NF. We were ready to return to Nova Scotia and begin the long drive home.

Little did we know then how we would spend the next week: making truck repairs and dodging Hurricane Fiona! 

Two very hungry birds
A few squirrels
A wet otter

Next week – NF reflections and recollections!