Petty Harbour - Motion Head Hike (5.5 Km)

On Sunday, May 25th, hubby Todd, dog Summer and I hiked from Petty Harbour to Motion Head and back (5.5 Km each way). This is one of the more scenic East Coast trails with just about all of the trail running along by the coastline. The smell and view of the ocean reminds me of back home, Goose Cove on the Northern Peninsula.

This hike is definitely a great hike to do with your family or a great hike to attempt if you are not in the best of shape. There is a steep hill at the onset but it's pretty much level after that. My only advice is that you take a few layers of clothing (as it may get cold by the ocean this time of year) and that you wear proper footwear. Thinking I was going for a jog, I wore shorts and sneakers only to get my legs scratched up by bushes, my feet soaking wet due to the wet trail in places and a few cuts and bruises due to slipping on the rocks. If you have hikers, I suggest that you wear them on this trail.

You may want to also take matches and newspaper as you can light a fire just about anywhere on the beach on this trail. Hubby and Big M. often camp at Motion Head as there is fresh water and nice grounds to pitch a tent. Overall, a nice short scenic hike if that's what you're looking for. It took us 2.5 hours to walk in and back.

Next on our agenda, the Spout?

Blackhead - Fort Amherst (10.8 Km)

On Monday, May 19th, hubby Todd, friend Malcolm (referred to as the big M) and I decided on the Blackhead - Fort Amherst hike. We had originally intended to hike the Spout trail (Goulds - Bay Bulls) however were not up for the 7 hour hike and were in the mood for a more scenic hike so that we could take lots of pictures.

We started off at 9 a.m. and time we dropped off our car to Fort Amherst (south side of St. John's harbour, park just past the small boat basin, sign in the parking lot will read 'Trail 460m') and parked in Blackhead (turn off Cape Spear Road at Blackhead and drive through the community to the parking lot at the turnaround), it was 10 a.m. before we began hiking. Note how happy Todd and Big M. are in the photo. Those two just love the outdoors!

The beginning part of the hike took us through the woods towards Freshwater Bay, with lots of jaunts along the coastline in between to take in the spectacular view of the hills, ocean and icebergs. Check out the pictures - there's lots of them.

We arrived at Freshwater Bay around lunchtime and after slowly maneuvring our way through the river and over the hundreds of rocks, we then took a break to rest and eat. Did I forget to mention that our dogs came along (Summer - 1 yr old, Gracie - 3 yr old) and were great companions along the trail. Our puppy Summer (looks like black lab wiener dog) loved following Gracie (sheep dog); we're not sure how Gracie felt.

After eating a light lunch of cheese whiz and peanut butter sandwiches, cheese and crackers, fruit, trail mix with plenty of water, we took off trying to muster the energy to trek up the long hill which lay ahead. I had only hiked this trail once past Freshwater Bay (which was years ago) and had forgotten how difficult and long that hill is. I hate to admit that, with the sun beating at my back, I had to stop (for a minute to catch my breath) halfway up. I'm ashamed to say that the big M. (who is a little older) got up that hill with much less effort.

But it was worth it once we got to the top as the view was absolutely gorgeous (plus I had worked off the feed of junk food and wine which I had consumed the previous night)! For the remainder of our hike, we trekked across the Southside hills towards Fort Amherst and stopped to admire the gorgeous view (including icebergs) often. At one point, big M. proceeded ahead with the two dogs while hubby and I lagged behind to take pictures. Somehow we then left the trail and got on a sub-trail (big M. is the avid hiker of the group, can't you tell?). Thinking we were lost after awhile as the trail seemed to go back uphill (where we didn't want to go), we pushed our way through the bushes to reach the road near Fort Amherst. Unknown to us, our puppy Summer became worried and ran back to meet us only to find that we were missing. Suffice it to say that she was a very happy dog when she saw hubby come through the bushes - he was almost licked to death. Having a dog is a new experience for us and we're totally enjoying it. Most times...

We reached our destination at 2:30 p.m. (not bad for the number of stops) and were only a little worse off for the journey. My suggestion is to only attempt this trail if you are somewhat in shape as the hill from Freshwater Bay is brutal. If you are not in the best of shape or are taking children, I would suggest hiking from Blackhead to Freshwater Bay and back. (We've done this numerous times over the years with our kids.)

That's it for this adventure, next one is the Spout, we hope!