Day 6 Long Range Traverse (Gros Morne National Park)

 Day 6 of our 7 day journey was very relaxing. We started hiking up from the Gros Morne Mountain trailhead and travelled north along a new area (the Long Range Traverse). This route had a defined trail that was very easy to follow. The incline was steady but it was nothing compared to the hikes that we've been on during the past 6 days. The sun came back up and it was a beautiful day.

We hiked towards the Gros Morne Mountain, hooked around the southern base of the mountain. The walk was not particularly scenic at this point but there were a lot of rocks everywhere. Our plan was to hike to the first campsite at the base of the mountain, setup our tent, hike up to the Gros Morne Mountain for the view, and return to our tent for the night.

Once we tented and dropped off our bags, the hike was much easier without the packs. I carried my ukulele up to the mountain and sang the entire time at the top of my lungs. Same songs over and over and over and over again. I didn't have many songs memorized so my crew had to endure the repetitive soundtrack for this trip.

The hike up to the mountain was steep but it was easy peasy. Some stairs and lots of board-walks later, we reached the summit. The weather was great and the sun was setting so it was a great time to take photos. We hung around the top for a while and returned back to our tent just before nightfall.

It was a relaxing day. A great way to end the final part of our trip to Newfoundland. It was more of a time of reflection and conversations for us. It rained on and off throughout the night and the tent as our primary shelter became more natural to us than it was at the beginning. It was our last night in the backcountry and all three of us were most certainly sad for the end. I will return to Newfoundland to finish this trail next year (hopefully); in the meantime, I will miss the great moments and the amazing sights we had the privilege to experience.

Day 5 North Rim Traverse (Gros Morne National Park)

From the start of day 5, we accepted that we are behind and that we cannot catch up. We had to accept it if we were to enjoy ourselves for the rest of the days. Playing catchup was stressful for us. We were there to enjoy. As much as I felt the competitive need to finish the "entire" route, we had to set our priorities for what we have come for.

Our new plan was to hike to the end of the Western Brook Pond, hike down to the water, and take the boat to where we started. Then, we were to taxi back down south to the Gros Morne Mountain Trail head and hike north along the Long Range Traverse.

I THINK these are pitcher plants?

We got up, packed our tent, had a quick oatmeal breakfast with dried prunes, and we were off. In about 45 minutes, we were at the top of the hill on the other side of the lake that we slept by. It was a rainy day. Rain poured on and off and the black flies were having a feast on my thighs. It was an easy hike. The "trails" were more or less defined and we were thankful. We didn't see any tuckamore at this point. Rain seeped through my boots and my socks were soaked within 20 minutes. It was alright though as the hike was much easier. 

Our bags waiting for us by the main "trail."

Ji-Won initially refused to come to the edge of the cliff. She was sure that the section would break off and kill us all.

Few hours into our hike, we were able to locate ourselves on the map with ease. There were many defining features in the terrain. In no time, we were at the spot where Scott said to detour. Along the hike, there was a "special spot" that you can hike to go right to the edge of a cliff. We left our bags on the trail and walked towards this "special spot." When we got there, it was just as Scott had explained. You can literally walk right up to the edge of a cliff and look down into the Western Brook Pond. The view of the fjord was amazing.

At the edge of the cliff.

After we had our fun on the cliff, we walked back to where our bags were and headed southeast towards the end of the fjord. It was a very swampy area. With the rain pouring down, it was very wet all around. For me, stepping into mud and stepping into a puddle made no difference.

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The end of the Western Brooke Pond was amazing. This is where everyone took their money shot of the park. This is the spot where people hike up to from the water to start their hike south along the Long Range Traverse. As expected, we met some hikers starting their journey south. It was their day-1 and they were fresh.

We accepted the fact that we would not be able to hike the northern part of the Long Range Traverse in the morning. However, I could not stop myself from feeling a bit of regret. Having to fly all the way out to Newfoundland, hike for 5 days along the North Rim, and not being able to finish the entire park was a bummer. But as mentioned before, we were there to enjoy. Sometimes, things don't unfold as planned. I guess I did bite off more than I could chew. I would recommend 9 days to finish both trails at a leisurely pace. That will be my plan for my next trip to Gros Morne National Park next summer. Anyone interested?

The walk down to the water...