Gros Morne, the mountain, Western Newfoundland

Gros Morne, next to a river flowing underneath it, headed to the sea

Gros Morne, part of the Long Range mountains, is what many people come to see and to climb at this amazing Canadian national park. The rock face towers over the town of Norris Point.

Taken from the south side of the park, overlooking Bonne Bay. Gros Morne towers over Norris Point, on the shoreline

It is visible from the south side of the park, and while cruising in Bonne Bay.

HIkers dropped off at the mouth of Western Brook Pond, heading off on a several day trek across the Long Range mountains, including Gros Morne

Hikers take the boat from Western Brook Pond and get let off at the mouth of the pond, to set off on 4-5 day hikes across the Long Range mountains, culminating their trek in climbing down Gros Morne.

Clouds nearly cover the mountain some days, but the river views offer plenty to enjoy

But many of us simply content ourselves with looking. The landscape is rugged. Boulders, rock scree (loose rock that has slid down the mountain until it reaches the ‘angle of repose’) covers the lower reaches of the mountain. Rivers flow at the base of the mountain, offering stunning views of the landscape.

No, not all of us long to spend a day or two or more struggling up and down precarious footholds. Many of us have neither the experience, the skill, the strength, or the stamina to climb to the top. I am quite content to look, and not touch this stunning mountain in the park that is its namesake.

Writing about a visit to this park is not complete without mentioning, or at least offering a few photos of Gros Morne, but at least for me, it was not the main attraction. Easy Walks in Massachusetts headed to Newfoundland and found more places to walk than we could squeeze in during about a ten day visit.

Hanging out at Berry Pond, with mountains in the distance

We ran out of time before we could check out the handicapped accessible trail to Berry Pond. But a incidental search for a bathroom at the park campground took us directly to Berry Pond, where we got a stunning view of the pond and the surrounding mountains, a perfect place for a picnic lunch. There is so much more waiting for a return visit. Someday, I hope to come back, having become a little familiar with the area, and better prepared to enjoy all this wonderful place has to offer.

Marjorie

Marjorie Turner Hollman is a writer who loves the outdoors, and is the author of Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, More Easy Walks in Massachusetts, 2nd edition, Easy Walks and Paddles in the Ten Mile River Watershed, and Finding Easy Walks Wherever You Are. Her memoir, the backstory of Easy Walks, is My Liturgy of Easy Walks: Reclaiming hope in a world turned upside down.