Blow Me Down Mountain Trail

Description

As its name suggests, the Blow Me Down Mountain Trail crosses the Blow Me Down Mountains west of Corner Brook. This backcountry trail rises to a height of 600m (1970ft) at Blow Me Down Head where it provides a wide-angle panoramic view of the beautiful Bay of Islands from the picturesque fishing community of Lark Harbour to the west, North Arm Hills and outer islands to the north, and the Humber Arm and city of Corner Brook to the east. To the west hikers can also catch a glimpse of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and if lucky, be rewarded with a spectacular sunset over the water.

After a 16km trek south across the barren mountaintop rising to a height of 655m (2150ft) the trail will arrive at Red Gulch, which affords a majestic view of the Serpentine Valley and Lewis Hills beyond. Though barren, the mountaintop is indented by deep valleys with sheer cliffs and accompanying waterfalls, and is home to moose and caribou, ptarmigan and arctic hare. Rare mountains of peridotite that heaved up from below the earth’s surface during continental drift provides an otherworldly setting for a hiking adventure.

Heading west from Red Gulch the trail will descend into the steep and meandering Simms Gulch canyon that slowly reveals the magnificent Serpentine Valley and Lewis Hills while shadowing a pristine and remote south flowing stream.

Photos

Access

Current access to the north end of Blow Me Down Mountain Trail to Blow Me Down Head is by way of the Blow Me Down Brook Trail 5km (3miles) west of Frenchman’s Cove and Copper Mine Brook Trail on the east side of York Harbour. In 2009 additional access trails will be completed from Benoit’s Cove to the north and Serpentine Valley to the south.

Summary

• The Blow Me Down Mountain Trail will be a 2-3 day backcountry trek requiring 1-2 nights camping with a tent.
• Length: 35-50km (21-30miles), depending on the access route taken
• Difficulty: Challenging
• Completion Date: August 2010

For More Information

Please explore this website for maps, photos, and supply and travel information. For additional information contact Kevin Noseworthy: menkhor@nf.sympatico.ca / Tel. 709-639-8707

Trail Map