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East Coast Trail, NF

Aug 19 - Aug 26, 2018 -- $1250 ★★★, Only 2 Spots Left

The East Coast Trail, is a world class hiking trail that touches the Easternmost point in Newfoundland (and Canada AND North America). There is an amazingly panoply of sea birds as well as moose, coyote and even caribou.


The East Coast Trail website says it best: The paths of the East Coast Trail take you past towering cliffs and headlands, sea stacks, deep fjords, and a natural wave-driven geyser called the Spout. It provides access to abandoned settlements, lighthouses, ecological reserves, seabird colonies, whales, icebergs, world's southern most caribou herd, historic sites, a 50-metre suspension bridge, two active archaeological dig sites, and many more attractions. It offers a wilderness paradise of boreal forest, fresh clean air and quiet solitude, all combined with the raw natural beauty of the rugged Atlantic Ocean.


Here is an excellent article that calls the East Coast Trail one of Canada's Hiking Holy Grails.


Our journey will begin at Bay Bulls. From there, we will hike Northbound up the coast for the rest of the trip, passing a lighthouse and subsequently the Spout (a wave driven geyser). Around mid-week, we'll spend a night at Wild Roses B&B to shower, regroup and experience excellent Newfoundland Hospitality. Then it's on to Cape Spear, the Easternmost point in all of North America (the odd time zone is 1.5 hours later than Eastern Standard Time). From there, we'll head back into St. Johns to complete our trek.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking, especially on the East Coast Trail. Late Summer is a great time to visit since the season is short, it's still warm and the bugs are (hopefully) gone. Plus there are blueberries ... lots and lots of blueberries. Newfoundland weather averages. show that you should prepared for rain, wind and possibly freezing weather. Expect daytime temperatures in the mid-60s (10°C) and nighttime temps in the mid-40s (5°C) although on the 2015 trip temperatures reached the 70s (25°C) most days. The ocean moderates the air temperature so it doesn't get very warm during the day, but also doesn't get very cold at night.



Trip Leaders

Beau Devlin
Dan Shafto


Cost

$1250 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from St. Johns Newfoundland (YYT) as well as personal equipment, any restaurant meals such as in Bay Bulls and gratuities for guides.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 1 night in a B&B, 6 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.



Important Note

The East Coast Trail is moderate to difficult. Weather during the shoulder season is the primary reason for this although terrain on the 2nd day is extremely rugged. Expect lots of wind and a reasonable amount of precipitation in Newfoundland, but also expect constant sweeping views high above the Atlantic Ocean.


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Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Sunday, August 19, 2018

Fly or drive into St. Johns (YYT) Newfoundland

Take free airport shuttle to Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton St. John's Airport, 411 Stavanger Drive,St. John's, NL CA, 709-738-4888

Equipment shakedown

Distribution of trail mix

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Trip to The Outfitters Store, 220 Water Street, St. John's, NL Canada, 800-966-9658, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Go out to welcome dinner in hotel, not included in trip cost



Monday, August 20, 2018

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Free hotel breakfast

Check out of hotel

Shuttle van or hotel will take your spare bag(s) for safekeeping

Shuttle to Bay Bulls Trailhead, East Coast Trail

Hike 3.6 Km (2.2 miles) to Bull Head Lighthouse

Hike 0.4 Km (0.2 miles) to Walsh's Gardens. There is a waterfall here as well as a privy

Hike 1.1 Km (0.7 miles) to Bald Head River

Fill all water containers here as tonight will be a dry camp

Hike 0.8 Km (0.5 miles) to Bald Head.

Dispersed Camp at Bald Head high above the Atlantic practicing Leave No Trace

Distance today: 6.5 Km (4.0 miles). Total to date: 6.5 Km (4.0 miles)

Possible Bailout: Bay Bulls Trailhead


Tuesday, August 21, 2018

Hike 4.1 Km (2.5 miles), mostly uphill to Landing Place Waterfall

Hike 0.6 Km (0.4 miles) to Little Bald Head

There is a waterfall here as well as a privy

Hike 0.6 Km (0.4 miles) to the Spout

Hike 4.5 Km (2.8 miles) to Raymond Head. There is water here.

Camp at Raymond Head

Distance today: 9.8 Km (6.1 miles). Total to date: 16.3 Km (10.2 miles)

Possible Bailout: Shoal Bay Road


Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Hike 2.0 Km (1.2 miles) to Miner Point Campsite. There is water (?) and a privy here.

Hike 6.0 Km (3.7 miles) to Queen River. Water can be found here.

Hike 2.4 Km (1.5 miles) to Freshwater River. Water can be found here.

Hike 2.6 Km (1.6 miles) to Maddox Cove

A shuttle from Wild Roses Bed & Breakfast, will pick us up and transport us there.

Wild Roses has showers, wireless internet, laundry, TV (if you need a fix) and many other amenities.

Previous groups have elected to go into town for dinner at a local restaurant, not included in trip cost.

Distance Today: 11.0 Km (6.8 miles). Total to Date: 29.3 Km (18.2 miles)

Possible Bailout: Maddox Cove


Thursday, August 23, 2018

Have a complementary homestyle breakfast at the B&B with Newfoundland Hospitality

Fill all water vessels in preparation of dry camping tonight

Wild Roses will shuttle us back to the trail. The terrain today is easy.

Hike 10.5 Km (6.5 miles) to Cape Spear National Historic Site, the Easternmost point in North America

Eat lunch at Cape Spear taking time to check out the area.

Hike 1.0 Km (0.6 miles) to Spear Bay Brook

Fill water here (note: the water ruins filters so treat with bleach instead)

Hike 1.6 Km (1.0 miles) uphill to the Dummy Fort

Camp at the Dummy Fort. Despite its name, Dummy Fort is an amazing campsite. There is no water here.

Distance Today: 13.1 Km (8.1 miles). Total to Date: 42.4 Km (26.3 miles)

Possible Bailout: Maddox Cove or Cape Spear


Friday, August 24, 2018

Hike 1.9 Km (1.2 miles) to Blackhead

Hike 7.4 Km (4.3 miles) to Sandy Bottom Pond

Dispersed Camp at Sandy Bottom practicing Leave No Trace principles

Distance today: 9.3 Km (5.8 miles). Total to date: 51.7 Km (32.1 miles)

Bailout: Blackhead Rd.


Saturday, August 25, 2018

Hike 3.8 Km (2.4 miles) to the Ft. Amherst

End of Hike

Distance today: 3.8 Km (2.4 miles). Total to date: 55.5 Km (34.5 miles)

We are now in St. Johns

Shuttle back to Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton St. John's Airport, 411 Stavanger Drive,St. John's, NL CA, 709-738-4888

"After" measurements taken

Dinner and awards Ceremony (Dinner cost not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, August 26, 2018

Free Hotel Breakfast

Free airport shuttle


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