Continuing with my loose strategy to get north as quickly as possible before the icebergs melt, I am headed straight up the Northern Peninsula with as few stops as possible…with one exception. The Trans-Canada Highway passes right through the heart of Gros Morne National Park. The most notable highlight of this national park is the Western Pond Brook Tour. This two-hour boat ride across a glacially carved, fresh water lake can only be reached by a “two-ish” mile hike to the boat dock at the edge of the pond.
Gros Morne National Park was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status due to its unique geological formations. At almost 700 square miles, it’s the second largest national park in Eastern Canada. I hope to return here to do some hiking on my way back down from the Northern Peninsula when I am not pressed for time to the sound of ice melting. But on my way up, I decide to check for a window of opportunity to do the Western Brook Pond tour in case weather is less favorable when I return this way.
My friends Ed and Marti have told me this boat tour will require some timing. First, the tour has to be reserved in advance, as this is the most popular attraction in Gros Morne National Park. But more importantly, it must be timed due to weather. They had made one attempt, but the boat was turned around when pea soup fog poured in, reducing all visibility. So their advice is to allow a window of time, as tours are “weather permitting.”
I check the forecast for the day I will be passing through Gros Morne. It’s the first sunny day in the forecast since I crossed the ferry. Oh, wait. That was just yesterday. LOL! The concentration of scenic beauty here makes time seem more concentrated as well. I call to make reservations, and book for the first tour out, hoping weather conditions will be best in the morning.
There’s lots of construction going on in Gros Morne National Park, with roads closed down to one lane. This was also the case in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. One might ask why they would choose the height of tourist season to close the only road through the park down to one lane. But after the heavy snow cover and long winters, I can only assume it’s a short construction season.
Western Brook Pond is on the far side of the park, so by the time I make it through all the single lane construction, it’s an hour from sunset. I decide this is as good a time as any to test what another View friend Jack Rigby has told me, “Once you get to Newfoundland, you can park anywhere.” Jack and wife Chris spent two hours with me at the recent DelMarVa Rally going over maps, books, and their trip journal spread out on the picnic table. Their love for Newfoundland was infectious, and heightened my desire to visit the Maritime Provinces. I asked Jack “What do you mean, you can park ‘anywhere?” He gets this dreamy look in his eye and a large grin as he spreads his arms out, palms up, and says “Anywhere.”
So I figure I’ll try my luck at the Western Brook Pond trail head parking lot. I circle the lot looking for “No Overnight Parking” signs, but this is also a back country trail head, so people leave their cars here for the 5 day “Long Mountain Traverse” hike. It’s getting foggier by the minute, and I am eager to stop before the moose are on the move. Surely no park security would send me out on a night like this. 😉 I am relieved to see one other rig in the parking lot. There’s safety in numbers! Turns out, it’s a restful night at the trail head, which allows me a little more sleep before I have to begin the hike to the dock at 8:30am.
Although Western Brook Pond is still called a “fjord,” it technically lost this status when the lake was cut off from the ocean. Part of the Long Range Mountains, the northernmost extent of the Appalachians, these 2,000 ft foot cliffs enclose the land-locked lake.
The two mile hike to the pond is an easy walk through marsh along the boardwalk. It’s a serene, peaceful walk accompanied by birdsong, with beautiful wild irises, yellow flowers (don’t know the name) and a few pitcher plants lining the trail. Another reason to book the first boat out in the morning is that there are no crowds coming at you from the opposite direction, having just finished the tour. Going to the boat at 9:00am is a completely different experience than returning at 11:00am, meeting people rushing to catch the 12:30pm boat.
The tour along the lake takes two hours, with guided narration that tells about the glacial formation of the lake. Although once filled with salt water, the lake is now completely fresh, it’s only water source the many waterfalls along the sides of the gorge. Many factors contribute to the lake being one of the purest sources of water, including “small drainage basin, sparse plant cover, and limited human influence.” Since the only course in and out of the pond is via small streams, it takes 15 years for the 250 ft deep lake to completely refresh.
BonTours has three boats on the lake. Two larger tour boats, and one smaller, faster boat used for hiker shuttles. Since there are no roads reaching the lake, it is explained that the smaller of the two tour boats was brought in by helicopter in two pieces, and assembled at the dock. But the other two were brought in across the snow and ice during winter, when the lake was frozen.
It is possible to hike up to the top of the rim, overlooking the gorge, which takes an estimated 8 hours round trip. But the National Park Service requires a permit to do this, and from what I read, since it’s considered a back country hike with no trail markers, they actually test your compass skills! Or, you can take a guided day hike……for a mere $250 a person! (Take heed, Guide Noir!)
I get back to the Winnie by 12:30pm, just in time for a quick tuna sandwich before I continue my drive on up the Northern Peninsula, following the “Viking Trail.”
How nice that you had such wonderful weather! Your timing was perfect! Beautiful boat tour. Love the wild iris along the trail.
Once again you leave me enthralled with your trip. The two mile hike leaves the ride up the pond out of our abilities unless we can find a few Sherpa to carry us. The scenery along the pond, is it proper to call it a fiord, is breath taking. We look forward to the next.
What a bargain the Red Rocks gang is getting!!! 🙂
The contrast of lovely blues and greens from this sojourn compared to the dusty browns and reds of the last (Colonial Mexico) serves to whet an appetite for exploration beyond the confines of my front door…this is armchair traveling at its best! Thank you…:-)
Beautiful scenery on the boat tour!
We’re glad Mark works for beer 😉
One of the most spectacular spots in the Maritimes!
Glad you enjoyed this amazing place! On to St. Anthony!
Love that beer coozie, I need to have Chantal knit me one!
The scenery here is to die for! Looks like you made an excellent choice to “go for it” this summer in the Maritimes!
Your photographs couldn’t be more beautiful, Suzanne, as you rush to see your iceberg.
I’ve started planning. I’m realized I’m only going to be able to do New England with only a month’s time. Even that may rush things. A Book, New England’s Best Trips (31 Amazing Road Trips) is helping me make an outline and pinpoint the places I definitely want to see. Unfortunately, they can’t move Bay of Fundy to Maine! I’ll see Canada through your writing and photographs.
Hi, Jack. I agree Canada might be an aggressive target that late in the year. I know after Columbus Day, things start to close down near Acadia NP. With that said, prepare for Maine to be crowded with “leaf peepers” at that time of the year. Inn prices will likely go up as this is peak season when the hardwoods start to change color. You might want to make some reservations, or be sure you can sleep comfortably in the truck. If it were me, I’d shoot for September rather than October, as I suspect the season turns fast up here. Best of luck.
Beautiful pictures. Thank you so much for sharing your adventures.
Hopefully I’ll make Newfoundland next year. Enjoy your exploring.
What an absolutely breathtakingly beautiful area. Now I’m REALLY sorry we didn’t go. May have to go back. How would it be in a 40 foot RV? Could we do it?
Hi, Allison — The Trans-Canadian Highway would be a breeze for a 40 ft bus, as would the two-lane on up the northern peninsula. It’s just the little side roads to the coves that would be problematic, but you’ve got the truck for that. Lots of RV parks, all with what they call “three-way,” or we would call “full hook-ups.” They are not fancy…more like gravel lots, but many have views…