Gros Morne National Park Of Canada — Attraction in Island of Newfoundland

Gros Morne National Park is a Canadian national park and world heritage site located on the west coast of Newfoundland. At 1,805 km2 (697 sq mi), it is the second largest national park in Atlantic Canada after Torngat Mountains National Park, which has an area of 9,700 km2 (3,700 sq mi).

The park takes its name from Newfoundland's second-highest mountain peak (at 806 m or 2,644 ft) located within the park. Its French meaning is "large mountain standing alone," or more literally "great sombre." Gros Morne is a member of the Long Range Mountains, an outlying range of the Appalachian Mountains, stretching the length of the island's west coast. It is the eroded remnants of a mountain range formed 1.2 billion years ago. In 1987, the park was awarded World Heritage Site status by UNESCO because "The park provides a rare example of the process of continental drift, where deep ocean crust and the rocks of the earth's mantle lie exposed."

The Gros Morne National Park Reserve was established in 1973, and was made a national park on October 1, 2005.

The park was the subject of a short film in 2011's National Parks Project.

The park's rock formations, made famous by Robert Stevens and Harold Williams, include oceanic crust and mantle rock exposed by the obduction process of plate tectonics, as well as sedimentary rock formed during the Ordovician, Precambrian granite and Palaeozoic igneous rocks.

The park is located in the Great Northern Peninsula of Western Newfoundland. This peninsula is referred to as the Humber Zone, a Miogeocline, the Highlands of which contain the largest external basement massif of the Grenville Orogeny in the Appalachian Orogen. This Precambrian basement is known as the Long Range Inlier, Long Range Complex or Basement Gneiss Complex, consisting of quartz-feldspar gneisses and granites that are up to 1550 Ma in age. Mt. Gros Morne and Mt. Big Level lie within this Inlier. The western boundary of this inlier (along Western Brook Pond, St. Pauls Inlet, and south of Portl Creek Pond) consists of Devonian and Ordovician thrust faults, where crystalline rocks thrust over Cambrian-Ordovician carbonate rocks and the Lower Paleozoic Humber Arm Allochthon. The Rocky Harbour mélange is a Lower-Middle Ordovician collection of greywacke, quartzite, dolomite shale, chert, limestone blocks within a black, green, and red scaly shale matrix, which occurs along the shore from West Brook Pond to Humber Arm (Bay of Islands). The south portion of the park, Table Mtn. (Tablelands) and North Arm Mtn., consists of Upper Cambrian and Lower Ordovician ophiolites known as the Bay of Islands Complex, Little Post Complex, and Old Man Cove Formation. Finally, a Pleistocene ice cap flowed radially across the island, developing fjords such as Bonne Bay.

The Tablelands, found between the towns of Trout River and Woody Point in south west of Gros Morne National Park, look more like a barren desert than traditional Newfoundland. This is due to the ultramafic rock – peridotite – which makes up the Tablelands. It is thought to originate in the Earth's mantle and was forced up from the depths during a plate collision several hundred million years ago. Peridotite lacks some of the usual nutrients required to sustain most plant life and has a toxic quality, hence its barren appearance. Peridotite is also high in iron, which accounts for its brownish colour (rusted colour). Underneath this weathered zone, the rock is really a dark...

Gros Morne National Park is a natural treasure trove offering a diverse range of experiences for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. With its dramatic landscapes, rich geological history, and charming coastal towns, this park is a must-visit for any traveler to Newfoundland.

Day One: Southern Exploration -Morning: Begin your journey at the Western Brook Discovery Centre. This state-of-the-art facility provides an excellent introduction to the park's geology, wildlife, and history. Immerse yourself in interactive exhibits and informative displays. Afternoon: Book a Western Brook Fjord boat tour. This is an absolute must-do to experience the fjord's towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and serene beauty. The tour typically lasts several hours, providing ample time to appreciate the natural wonder.

Optional Activities: Visit the nearby Woody Point to explore charming shops and indulge in fresh seafood. Enjoy a leisurely stroll along the Green Point Geological Site to witness firsthand the region's geological history.

Day Two: Northern Discoveries Morning: Embark on the iconic Tablelands hike. This otherworldly landscape, a remnant of the Earth's mantle, is a geological marvel. The hike is relatively easy and offers stunning panoramic views. Remember to bring your camera to capture the unique rock formations. Afternoon: Drive to the charming town of Norris Point for lunch and explore the local shops. Consider taking a boat tour of Bonne Bay to experience the park's coastal beauty from a different perspective.

Park Highlights and Tips Dog-friendly: Gros Morne National Park is largely dog-friendly, allowing you to explore with your furry companion. However, there are restrictions in certain areas, such as the Tablelands. Hiking: The park offers a variety of hiking trails to suit all fitness levels. Some popular options include the Tablelands Trail, the Burnt Hill Trail, and the trails around Bonne Bay. Wildlife: Keep an eye out for moose, black bears, and various bird species. Photography: The park's stunning landscapes provide endless opportunities for photography. Park Passes: Purchase a park pass at the entrance to gain access to all park facilities. Accommodation: There are various accommodation options within and around the park, from campgrounds to hotels. Best Time to Visit: The park is beautiful in all seasons, but the summer months offer the longest daylight hours for exploring.

Additional Day: Extending Your Adventure If you have an extra day, consider these options:

Explore the Long Range Mountains, the park's northernmost region, for challenging hikes and remote wilderness experiences. Visit the Bonne Bay Marine Station to learn about marine life and ecosystems. Take a kayaking or canoeing tour to explore the park's waterways from a different perspective.

By following this itinerary, you can experience the best of Gros Morne National Park and create unforgettable memories. Remember to pack accordingly for the weather, bring essential hiking gear, and respect the park's natural...

Completed the long range traverse hike in July. In hindsight I would have brought my fleece as evening temperatures were getting down to single digits. Lots of wet weather made for some wet trails therefore enjoyed the extra pairs of socks I brought.

Would highly recommend the hike but it isn’t easy. The initial ascent is quite steep especially when you have all the weight for your full journey. Views can be stunning but can also close in with fog.

Make sure you are comfortable with maps and knowing how to use a topographic map prior to coming. This isn’t the spot to be learning, but if you are comfortable, this is a fun (and tiring) hike.

Completed the hike in two nights on the trail, started the hike late on the first day. Planned to slow down and enjoy the trail more but with bad weather we kept going and finished early. Watch the weather as the descent off of the top of the hills on the last day are down ravines that could be tricky during rain.

Took in Gros Morne Mountain at the end, which is a great add on.

For logistics, we flew into Deer Lake and rented a car to drive up to the park. You have to pass a navigation test (map and compass) at the park HQ before they will give you a pass for the trail. To start the hike you need to take a boat tour into Western Brook Pond, and they will not allow you off the boat without the pass. We arranged for a cab to pick us at the end of the hike parking lot (entrance to the Gros Morne Mountain trail) and left the vehicle there. Then took the cab north up to the boat tour. To make things all work on the day we flew in, we ended up taking the later boat tour. This meant that we were getting off the boat in the evening. It worked for us but it is something to consider as it did not leave a lot of hiking time before nightfall. Flight schedules have also changed a bit so will need to check the new schedules.

There is a lot of water sources along the trail so you don’t need a pile of water but bring a good...