Backpacking the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland for 5 Days - E.12
Tents and Timber Tents and Timber
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 Published On Premiered Apr 28, 2024

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Join us on Days 15-19 of our 32-day journey from Ontario to Newfoundland and back. After two weeks of driving, camping, and living out of our car, we switched things up by leaving the car behind to live out of our backpacks on the East Coast Trail. This 336-kilometer trail runs along the Northeast shore of the Avalon Peninsula and offers a unique blend of natural beauty and challenge.

Our adventure began with a few days at Lockston Path Provincial Park, where we packed our backpacks for the upcoming five-day trek. After a morning of preparation, we headed to a Honda dealership to address a small issue with our car before driving three hours to St. John's. There, we met friends who kindly let us park at their place and shuttled us to Bay Bulls trail head, the starting point of "The Spout Path."

It was a beautiful afternoon with the sun shining as we set out on the 16.2-kilometer trail. Our goal was to reach a campsite about 11 kilometers in, and along the way, we passed towering sea stacks, impressive waterfalls, and even a few sea caves. The trail offered breathtaking views and was a perfect way to start our backpacking adventure. One highlight was the Bull Head Lighthouse near Dungeon Cove. After passing it, we turned northward and reached Little Bald Head Campsite, a gorgeous site with new tent pads and plenty of space. We were the only ones there, so we set up our ‪@durstongear‬ X-Mid 2 tent and enjoyed a dehydrated meal before bed.

Overnight, the rain started, and it continued well into the next day. Despite the wet weather, our tent kept us dry, and we had breakfast before heading to "The Spout," a sea-driven geyser that shoots water through a rock every 30 seconds. We spent some time admiring this unique feature before continuing our journey.

The rain made the trail slippery, so by lunchtime, we'd only covered 2.5 kilometers. However, the weather eased a bit, allowing us to enjoy lunch at Long Point Cove. We then made our way to the end of "The Spout Path" at Shoal Bay Road trailhead, where "Motion Path" begins. This path leads to Raymonds Gulch, where we saw beautiful dual waterfalls.

Miner Point Campsite was our next stop, and while it lacked tent pads, it was still a great place to spend the night. The rain returned, so we ate dinner early and went to bed. The next morning brought heavy fog, but we got an early start, eager to make more progress.

As we hiked through places with interesting names like The Tolt, Hearts Point Ridge, Burkes Head, and Lower Cove Head, the rain persisted, but it didn't dampen our spirits. We passed through Petty Harbour, a charming town, before starting down the "Cape Spear Path." Along this section, we found a lovely spot to set up camp near Deep Cove.

Waking up to sunshine was a delightful change, and we made good time to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the easternmost point in Canada. The trail then took us past the old 1942 decoy anti-aircraft battery, which added a touch of history to our adventure.

After 15.4 kilometers, "Cape Spear Path" ended at Blackhead village, leading us to the ominously named "Deadmans Bay Path." This path provided some of the most impressive views, with lookout points over Blackhead Bay, Sleepy Cove, and Windy Cove. We even took a side trail to Small Point, adding a touch of adventure to our journey. After covering over 20 kilometers, we reached Freshwater Bay, where we saw a seal swimming and enjoyed a cold dip to rinse off the sweat and mud from our hike. Dinner that night was one of the best backcountry meals we've had, and it was a perfect way to end the day.

However, the rain returned overnight, and by morning, it was coming down heavily. We ate breakfast in our tent and faced a tough decision: should we continue to Fort Amherst or exit the trail due to safety concerns? Over a cup of hot chocolate made with our ‪@MSRGear‬ Pocket Rocket 2 stove, we decided to exit via the Bay Path to Blackhead Road's parking lot. It wasn't an easy choice, but it turned out to be the right one as the rain continued all day.

Despite the challenges, our adventure was filled with incredible experiences, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable memories. Make sure to join us for the rest of our journey as we explore more of Newfoundland, soak in its natural wonders, and share tips for outdoor adventures.

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Until next time, happy trails!

00:00 Getting to the East Coast Trail
01:59 Bay Bulls to Little Bald Head
11:36 Little Bald Head to Miner Point Campsite
30:00 Miner Point to Deep Cove
45:28 Deep Cove to Freshwater Bay
1:05:25 Leaving the Trail
1:14:39 Bloopers

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