After several months preparing document and annexes, on February 26 Cabox Aspiring Geopark submitted its official application dossier to the Canadian Geopark Network (CGN). Submitting the dossier is the first step in a 2-3 year application process that, if successful, leads to the designation of Cabox as a UNESCO Global Geopark, one of three UNESCO designations. In addition to the 50-page dossier (the limit), the application contained 10 annexes, including a self-evaluation checklist, detailed description of geological heritage and conservation, large scale map showing clearly defined boundary and all geosites, museums and towns, list of endorsements, and one-page general geological description.
Gregory River to Shoal Point Traverse
On August 9, 2024, Cabox/IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol and Appalachian explorer Lew Coty from Stowe, Vermont made a Gregory Mountains traverse from Gregory River to Shoal Point Cove on the gulf coast south of Chimney Cove. The goal was to identify a one-day hiking route across the oceanic crust on the northwest corner of the North Arm Hills/Gregory Mountains Ophiolite Massif.
The adventure began early in the morning at the intersection of Mogul ATV Trail and Chimney Cove Road 2km south of Trout River Campground where Gros Morne Transportation and Tours picked them up in a side-by-side all terrain vehicle and drove them 10 km to Gregory River.
Cabox Acquires Strategic Land
In July 2024, Cabox Geopark Inc. acquired 3 acres of land on the north side of Bear Head Road near Ballam Bridge on Route 440. The strategic parcel of land is located at the intersection of the Trans Canada Highway with Route 440, Route 450, the city of Corner Brook and the trailhead for Humber Valley Trail to Man In The Mountain, which is scheduled for redevelopment in 2025. It is also at the gateway of the proposed Humber Valley National Healing Forest & Trail Park, which would span Humber River Gorge between Corner Brook and Steady Brook. Plans for the land include increased parking area (which would also serve Humber River rafters), Geopark Information Center, Indigenous Heritage Center, Cabox Rock Garden, and a natural outdoor amphitheater.
Work Starting Soon on East Blow Me Down Trail
In Spring 2024, work will begin on the East Blow Me Down Trail, a 4km backcounty hiking route that will connect the Forestry Access Road above Benoit’s Cove on the south shore of Humber Arm to the eastern end of the Blow Me Down Ophiolite Massif. The new IATNL trail will be developed by Cabox Aspiring Geopark, with funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), provincial department of Industry, Energy and Technology (IET), and Trans Canada Trail (TCT), of which it will form part of a spur line linked to the Newfoundland T’Railway.
Cabox to Receive Phase Two Funding
At a combined federal-provincial press release at Lobster Cove Lighthouse in Gros Morne National Park, Cabox Aspiring Geopark was among a number of tourism-related projects in Western Newfoundland to share in a total of $2,744,563 in government funding intended to “help upgrade accommodations, host events and festivals, market the region, and develop new world-class attractions”. On hand for the announcement was Premier Andrew Furey and MP Gudie Hutchings, federal Minister of Rural Economic Development.
Cabox Installs Bay of Islands Ophiolite Panel
On June 24, Cabox Aspiring Geopark installed its latest interpretive panel, entitled Bay of Islands Ophiolite Complex, near the entrance to Saltbox Restaurant and Geopark Information Center in Benoit’s Cove. The panel, funded in part by the Canadian Geological Foundation (CGF), is located above a mini ophiolite rock garden containing samples from both earth’s mantle and ocean floor, and features descriptions of all four ophiolite massifs, as well as rock types and flowers found in these unique landscapes.
Bay of Islands Geology Tour with Dr. John Waldron
In June 2022, Cabox Aspiring Geopark arranged a Bay of Islands geology boat tour for Dr. John Waldron and some of his students at the University of Alberta. Aboard Saltbox/Everoutdoor’s zodiac Elmastukwek operated by skipper Rob Thomas, the tour included Humber Arm, Woods Island, Eagle (Green) Island, North Arm Point to Woman Cove in Middle Arm, and Middle Arm Point, and included sections of the Irishtown Formation, Summerside Formation, Cook’s Brook Formation, Blow Me Down Brook Formation and
Stone Brook Basecamp Nearing Completion
After significant work over the past two years, the IATNL basecamp at Stowbridges (aka James Cook’s Stone Brook) in North Arm is nearing completion and will soon be available for public use. Serving as a basecamp for eco, geo and adventure “seefarers” and hikers interested in exploring the remotest region of the Bay of Islands and Cabox Geopark, the renovated two-storey biscuit box house in a small southeast facing cove once served as seasonal home for a local fisherman from Cox’s Cove.
NLinVR Project Ramps Up
As part of its support for Cabox Aspiring Geopark, in September 2020 the federal and provincial government announced funding for Cabox VR, a virtual reality project begun under the EU-funded Drifting Apart project. The funds are to be used to develop the website NLinVR, which will provide an online platform to share 3D virtual reality images and videos of representative scenes across Newfoundland and Labrador. Of course in order to share the photos and videos, they must first be filmed using a 360-degree video camera.
Arne Tackles Bear Head!
On October 15, octogenarian Arne Helgeland hiked up 335 meters (1100 feet) to Arne’s Lookout at the top of the new IATNL Bear Head Trail. Follow along as he takes in the bright fall colours and fantastic views of the lower Humber Valley.