Barachois Pond Provincial Park is one of the largest parks in Newfoundland and is located near Stephenville Crossing. Barachois Pond Provincial Park – The Canadian Encyclopedia
Erin Mountain Trail is located within the park and I was told, it was named after the grandson of an MHA who was involved with the development of the park in the late 1950’s.
The park was opened in 1962 and has a large variety of trees. There are spruce, fir, larch, aspen,black ash and white pine.
360 meters
The trail is rated moderate/difficult and, according to the park board, is 6 km return. A guide book lists it as being 8 km, a newspaper article as being 10 and still another source, says 12 km! I didn’t have my Garmin with me, so I can’t confirm. My estimate would be 8 km.
….and off we go.
Some of the boardwalk was quite slick and slippery. It was wet and seemed as if it were covered with some kind of tree (?) residue.
Stairs and more stairs.
Beautiful wildflowers along the way.
May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. Edward Abbey
These little toads were everywhere along the trail and they are camouflaged so well, I almost stepped on them a couple of times. They are quite amazing. My husband tapped one gently with his hiking stick and it tucked its head and played dead. Nature is wondrous.
The ferns were ginormous and sections of the trail were a little difficult.
No moose sightings, but they did leave a little gift.
After the hike, our feet were quite wet.
Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity. John Muir
Hope you enjoyed the hike.
photos L & C Fudge
Treks Trails & Tales 