Our first paddling day at Gros Morne began with high winds. We'd hoped to paddle out to the seastacks and caves of the Trout River area. When we got there it was clear that we wouldn't be able to kayak that day. So we found a hiking trail that went to that part of the coast instead. It was misty and windy and wet. We started hiking across the Tablelands, a geological area formed when part of the earth's mantle - normally 6 miles under the earth's crust - rose and broke to the surface. It was made mostly of iron, chromium and nickel. Almost nothing could grow on the rust-colored rock. It was vast barren land.
High up on the Tablelands there were still snowfields with waterfalls cascading down from them. This waterfall was at least 200 feet long.
The trail began where the tablelands met with the shore mountains, and some sparse vegetation could grow.
As we climbed higher, the vegetation became more lush like a rainforest. The area is called Green Gardens, for good reason. It was like walking through a botanical garden.
A view up the valley as we approached the sea.
We reach the coast. The seastacks are below us. It's very beautiful.
We climbed down to the shore. It was low tide so we were able to scramble over rocks and around a point to this gigantic sea cave.
Mark inside the sea cave. It was enormous.
A waterfall cascaded down to the sea.
A seastack viewed from our lunch spot by the waterfall.
The sea cliffs from below.
Kate on the edge of the cliffs.