Newfoundland – Day 5: Port au Choix to Rocky Harbour
September 30, 2019: 15.6km walked/hiked
We got up around the usual time we have been lately (8ish, that’s 6:30 your time) and had our breakfast once I did a quick check on the beach.
We immediately went to check the lighthouse for caribou but had no luck! We had a windy rainy drive to Rocky Harbour, but the rain cleared up so we stopped at some lookouts along the way. At Broom Point, we saw seals in the water! Did a quick beach comb at a few places and enjoyed the sun being out, finally after three days of rain! We met a couple at the lighthouse from Etobicoke haha. Lots of Ontarians here, and Albertans too.
We looked at doing the Green Point coastal trail (it has fossils), but needed to get a park pass, and figured we’d get a solid hike in this afternoon, so we went into Rocky Harbour to get the pass and find a place to stay for the night.
We decided we had time to do Baker’s Brook Falls trail. It was so beautiful, and we saw a ton of moose tracks – surprised we didn’t see any actual moose! It was marked as a blue square trail (moderate), but was super easy! Flat, boardwalks, only 10km round trip! We did a total of 15.6km today, not bad. Green Gardens was marked as a blue square trail, but it was way harder!
Along the trail there was a moose exclosure that was installed in 2009. It has gates to keep the moose out, and shows the stark difference between the forest now (sparse), and the lush enclosed space, about a couple acres. They’re allowing hunting within the park now to try to control the moose population better. It all started with four moose I think?
We came back to Rocky Harbour and did a quick beach comb while the tide was low. I found a neat piece of pottery (blue willow), and then had dinner at the last restaurant that’s open! We both had burgers, they were great.
Time to relax a bit before bed – and plan which trails we’re doing tomorrow!
Port au Choix – Point Riche LighthouseSaw a seal at Broom Point! (it’s blurry, but it’s a seal!)Eyes are always peeled for glass! (and my poor frozen fingers)Broom Point – little cove with seals swimmingBroom Point – we had a break from the rain but it looks like we’re headed into some more!Broom Point – the ocean was this deep dark navy and the white caps were such a contrastBroom Point – such sharp rocks, so much textureBroom Point – this adorable couple live not too far from us in the GTA, and were 82 and 86!Baker’s Brook Falls trail – the grass was this stunning yellow colourBaker’s Brook Falls – walking through this flat field was so coolBaker’s Brook Falls trail – yellow grass and mountains in the backgroundBaker’s Brook Falls trailBaker’s Brook Falls trailBaker’s Brook Falls – down the steps to view the falls from the water levelBaker’s Brook Falls – pano from water levelBaker’s Brook Falls – a nice rainbow off the falls!Baker’s Brook Falls – back up the stairs!Baker’s Brook Falls – higher viewpoint of the fallsBaker’s Brook Falls trail – moose exclosure area gateBaker’s Brook Falls – coming back as the sun went downTook tons of terrible “from the car” photos, but when the views are this gorgeous.. you have to try.Another “from the car” photoRocky Harbour beach combing at sunset – a blue willow piece perfectly framed tree… this is a very special piece.Rocky Harbour beach combing at sunset – thread from a jar lidRocky Harbour beach combing at sunset – clear glass amongst the seaweedRocky Harbour beach combing at sunset – two cobalt pieces, one with thread from the lip of the jarRocky Harbour beach combing at sunset – pretty aqua pieceRocky Harbour beach combing at sunset – me in my element.Rocky Harbour beach combing at sunsetRocky Harbour sunset – there was usually at least a few other people combing this beach too!
