Hiking again. Today we take on a big one. We needed some fortification so I cooked up some back bacon and pancakes for breakfast, Carol made the coffee and we were checking out the maps as we ate. Gros Morn is the iconic mountain to climb here in the National Park that is named after it. It is one huge rock and takes about 10 to 12 hours to complete the hike. We decided against that.
A popular trailhead
We did decide to climb the approach. So we set off and were soon in the parking lot and found one of the two remaining places to park. This is a popular place. I'm thinking this blog post is going to be short on words and long on photos, as I know I cannot do it justice.
The start of the trail.
It is a place of magnificent beauty. The hike we chose is just over 4 miles round trip. Two miles up, two miles down. Do not underestimate the word up! The hike was a steady ascent from the first few steps away from the parking lot.
The climb starts. . .
The forest was thick with berries and flowers and a few birds we could not recognize. There were also a lot of other folks out for a day on the trail and we met a few hardy souls that were on multi-day hikes through these rugged mountains. We climbed on. The incline would sometimes be very steep and sometimes not, but always present.
What a place!
It was quite a morning, with sudden astounding views around every corner, or another hiker with a story or wanting to pet 'such a cute doggie'. We hiked on.
Harper never even slowed down.
The climb seemed al lot longer than a mere two miles, going up is hard for me as I mentioned in yesterday's post. But then we were there at our turn around point.
The falls from the footbridge.
We sat and rested, had a power bar and water, Harper had cookies and I did a quick watercolor to commemorate the climb. And we took pictures of course, even a selfie.
I sat and sketched.
Obligatory selfie
The walk back down didn't seem as long for me but Carol doesn't like descending much. I have to admit that after a while you feel like most of your feet are now in the toes of your shoes.
Gros Morne in the distance, another beautiful day.
We were back in the parking lot no worse for the wear, chatting with a couple of guys just returning from four days of hiking and camping. They seemed glad to be back in the parking lot too.
Almost down, time for a treat.
We drove north up Route 430 and to Green Point, a spot Carol thought would be interesting. It was another of those unexpected treasures you find when you are looking.
What a surprise
There were a few fishing shacks huddled together at the base of the bluff looking out to sea. It looked like a place a postcard designer dreamt up. We hiked around, I took lots of photos and sketched a bit, Carol and Harper went off exploring the seashore.
Perfect!
Then the reality of travel crept into our consciousness. Tomorrow is a travel day. There are things to be done, laundry in particular. It was already later in the afternoon so we reluctantly headed back to the cabin do do some chores.
This has to be hard living.
It is now early evening, the laundry is done, we had begin the packing up, showers are taken and I picked up fish and chips from the French fry guy for supper. I think it is going to be an early night tonight as everything hurts again. . .
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