Province of Newfoundland and Labrador Travel Forum

One thing that I really want to see when I visit the park is the spectacular view of the fjord on the long range traverse seen here : http://www.grosmorne.com/things.htm

I only have a limited amount of time in the park 4-5 days and as much as I would like to do the long range traverse hike, I don't nessecarily want to devout my entire trip to it.

Does anybody know if it is possible to get to this spot in a single day, camp the night around there if need be and then return without doing the entire 35 km route?

Thanks in advance

Adam

I would talk to the people than run the Western Brook Fjord boat tour. You should be able to take the boat tour to the end of the fjord and get dropped off somewhere, do the climb, camp overnight, then pick up the next day's boat tour to get back to town.

Mind you, the ship is pretty big. I didn't see a dock at the top of the fjord. Perhaps you could rent the kayaks for two days, and kayak to the end, find the trail and climb to the top.

There is a bit of a town where the boat docks, perhaps there would be a fisherman or someone who you could pay to bring you to the end of the fjord and pick you up later?

Good luck!

When I was there in 2005 I did not see any "town" where the boat docks. There was a single building. You seem to think this is a "fjord" that is connected to the ocean, but it is not. It is called "Western brook Pond". And there is no Fishermen operating in that Pond. We were told there was very little fish in that pond as there is very little there for fish to live on.But I understand there is a path that allows one to walk/climb to where you want to go, but it is very steep as I recall. I believe you can do this in 1 day up and the next day down. I did walk out to where the boat docks, but did not go on the boat. Just drive by Rocky Harbour and a few miles north on rt 430 you will see a parking lot for 'Western Brook Pond". Hike in and follow the trail as per the literature you need to pick up at park headquarters where you get your permit to enter the park. The Headquarters is on the left just before the Rocky Harbour turnoff on Rt 430. I spent 3 weeks in that Province in 2005.

lazyman, that photo you refer to does not describe where it is exactly. I assumed it was at the top of Trout River Pond. jonellis assumed it is at the top of Western Brook Pond. Both of these ponds (which would be called lakes anywhere else in Canada) used to be fjords that were attached to the ocean a long time ago, but are now fresh-water lakes.

There are 2 1/2 hour boat tours at both lakes. Trout River Pond has more of a town at its ocean (or west) end, and power boats are allowed on it. Western Brook Pond has nothing but the one building at its west end, and only the one tour boat is allowed on the lake.

If you read the Parks Canada hiking page http://www.pc.gc.ca/pn-np/nl/grosmorne/activ/activ2e_e.asp, it seems you are allowed to disembark from either boat tour if you have a backcountry permit. So that is the only way that I know to avoid the 16km each way hike to the top or east end of the two "fjords".

Perhaps it would be best if you phoned the staff at the national park. They may be able to flesh out the details a bit more and tell you which of the two fjords is more picturesque.

I haven't seen anywhere for docking when taking a boat to the end, it's better to contact the park before you go. If you visit during the peak season, remember to book your boat seat in advance.