During 2019, the IATNL made significant strides in completing its Cabox Geopark basecamp at Stone Brook (aka Stowbridges) in North Arm, Bay of Islands. The two-storey former fisherman’s house will serve as a start/end point for 2-3 day treks across the North Arm Hills to/from Trout River. This year’s work included the installation of bunk beds, new vinyl flooring, indoor plumbing, and the reconstruction of the damaged seawall.
New Signage for Humber Valley Trail
In 2019 the IATNL added new signage to the Humber Valley Trail, including directional signage and memorial interpretive panels at both Scott’s Lookout on the west side of Wild Cove Valley and Barry’s Lookout above Humber Village. The latter two were designed in the James Cook inspired style of the new trailhead sign at Ballam Bridge, which was installed in 2017. Scott’s Lookout provides a spectacular view of the Humber Valley from Wild Cove to Deer Lake. It was named after IATNL volunteer Scott Datwyler who passed away suddenly in 2018 due to a brief illness. Barry’s Lookout also provides a fantastic view of the valley and is named after local naturalist and conservationist Dr. Barry May.
Coty Explores Hills between Trout River & Chimney Cove
For many years now, Vermont maple syrup farmer and Appalachian hiker Lew Coty has travelled to Western Newfoundland in August to spend a month exploring the Long Range Mountains, the most northerly of the Appalachian Mountain range. In 2019, in addition to making a Gregory Mountain trek with IATNL/CABOX director Paul Wylezol and a number of other shorter hikes, Lew set his sights on another hike of the West Hills between Trout River and Chimney Cove.
New Trail Routes for Blow Me Down Mountains
During the summer of 2019, the IATNL made several exploratory treks into the Blow Me Down Mountains east of Blow Me Down Brook in search of new trail routes to connect the mountains to Benoit’s Cove and the new Cabox Geopark Information Center at Saltbox restaurant. Plan calls for routes to link to the IATNL Blow Me Down Mountain Trail and Cabox Geopark’s UltramaTrex. One route that requires little work begins at the Clarks Brook future bridge site below Benoit’s water supply and follows an existing ATV/snowmobile trail for approximately 1km before turning off to the left and following a 2km track across a beautiful and pristine wetland with a view of the mountains as far as the Sands above Blow Me Down Brook.
Lew Coty in Search of St Gregory’s Arc
August 6-8, 2019, Appalachian explorer Lew Coty from Vermont, USA undertook a 3-day trek across the Bay of Islands north uplands in search of a St Gregory’s Arc hiking route from the southern end of the Gregory Mountains across the North Arm Hills to the IATNL basecamp at Stowbridges. He was joined during the first half of the trek by IATNL Chairperson Paul Wylezol who broke off midway to explore Lower Crabbs Brook.
Cabox Honours Newfoundland Geologist “Hank” Williams
On July 18, 2019, Cabox Aspiring Geopark honoured renowned Newfoundland Geologist Harold “Hank” Williams (1934-2010) by installing a large interpretative panel depicting his life and work at the Saltbox Restaurant and Information Center in Benoit’s Cove. Much of the information was taken from E. R. Ward Neale’s tribute to him at the 1994 Nuna Conference in his honour, in Grand Falls, NL.
UltramaTrex: “A Photographer’s Dream”
For one week in July 2019, long-distance hiker Geoff Rose of Ontario took on the challenges and rewards of Western Newfoundland’s UltramaTrex, a 6-8 day trek across the ultramafic sections of the four Bay of Islands Ophiolite Massifs, from Tablelands in the north, across the North Arm Hills, Bay of Islands, Blow Me Down Mountains and Lewis Hills to the south. “It was a photographer’s dream!” he said. “The UltramaTrex is a grand route. You experience many challenges and view a wonderful range of terrain, flora and fauna. … I loved the ultramafic sections (part of the earth’s mantle) for their surreal landscape.”
IAT Ulster Ireland Hosts Outdoor Economy Forum
From June 2 to 7, 2019, representatives of the International Appalachian Trail (IAT), Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) and Appalachian Trail Museum gathered in Ulster Ireland for an Outdoor Economy Forum to discuss common issues and assist IAT Ulster Ireland develop a world-class trail network. Day One began with a morning hike along Sallagh Braes basalt cliffs, which provide a spectacular view of the Northern Ireland coast and Irish Sea beyond. The trek was guided by James McKeown of the Glens of Antrim Rambling Club and ended at one of Northern Ireland’s many Games of Thrones tv series sites.
10th Anniversary of IAT’s First Visit to Scotland
From May 28 to June 2, 2019, representatives from IAT Newfoundland (proponents of Cabox Geopark) and IAT Maine visited Scotland on a 10th anniversary IAT Europe tour which ended in Northern Ireland on June 7 after an Outdoor Economy Forum that also included representatives from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Museum, and Appalachian Mountain Club based in Boston, Mass. The Scotland tour included visits to John Muir’s Birthplace Museum in Dunbar, James Hutton’s Siccar Point, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, Spireslack open-pit mine, Robbie Burns Birthplace Museum in Ayr, and Lochaber Geopark in the Highlands.
Jakeman All Grade Students Experience Region Through VR
On Tuesday, May 7, 2019, students at Jakeman All Grade School in Trout River took turns touring the Geopark region with the help of Cabox’s Drifting Apart Virtual Reality program. Geopark Chairperson Paul Wylezol took advantage of the beautiful weather to visit the community located just west of the Tablelands Ophiolite Massif in Gros Morne National Park. Teacher Kayla Brake arranged the visit, which included the participation of kindergarten and grades 1-6 and 9.