Gros Morne National Park

View along Gros Morne National Park Highway

When we arrived in Gros Morne, it was still raining hard.  In fact, unbeknownst to us, this was an “epic” rain.  Many told us that it was the worst rain they had seen in years.  We were told that roads had washed out and there were several places on the island that had flooded.

We drove into Rocky Harbor and the visitor’s center.  Again, we found that so many folks had cancelled their holiday travel plans that all of the campgrounds had openings.

We decided to check out the southern end of the park in spite of the rain.  We traveled to Woody’s Point for lunch, then to the park’s Discovery Center.  We were delighted to spy a moose cow along the mountainside.  Later when we arrived at the Lomond Campground, we found an enormous bull moose resting in the meadow just below us.  As usual, when we spoke about the moose with other Newfoundlers, our enthusiasm was met with disdain.

Overnight, the skies cleared, and we awoke to a beautiful, clear morning.  We broke camp and continued our drive through the park and were amazed to find how beautiful it was!

At one lookout point, we saw a seal pop his head up in the harbor.  Later, we drove to Bonne Bay… As you can see by the photo, it was absolutely stunning.

Bonne Bay in Gros Morne National Park

After hiking the coastal trail, we decided to set up camp at the Berry Hill Campground and take advantage of their showers.  The next morning we took the Bakers Brook Fall Trail.  We had no idea that we would hike a full seven miles by the end of the day! 

On the suggestion of one of the park rangers, we hiked a side trail and visited one of the moose “exclosures.”  It was fascinating to actually see what the new moose management data had proven.  (For more information about the “moose mystery,” please see the next post.)

We made it to the falls by early afternoon.  Bakers Brook had turned into a raging river after all the rain.  The falls were beautiful but swift and treacherous.  We stayed only a short while before heading back. 

Bakers Brook Falls, Gros Morne

The majority of the trail traveled a long, boggy area and was mostly elevated boardwalk.  Our feet absolutely ached by the time we reached the truck. 

By the time we set up camp at the north end of the park in the Shallow Bay Campground, we were exhausted.  Rox snored softly at our feet while we fixed supper.  We had learned much at Gros Morne and felt blessed to have experienced the park and its beauty.  Tomorrow we would head up towards the Viking village.  Our time on the island of Newfoundland was coming to a close.

Hiking in Gros Morne National Park

Newfoundland and Labrador on Dwellable