Gros Morne National Park: Day 1

 Gros Morne National Park  was established in 1973 and made a national park in only 2005. The park was awarded World Heritage Site  status by UNESCO in 1987. The park takes its name from Newfoundland's 2nd highest peak at 2,644 ft. It's French meaning  is "large mountain standing alone" or more literally "great sombre".

Fortunately for us, Gros Morne was not 'morne'  this day as we drove 181 km under mainly sunny skies and never left the park. We stopped at the Visitor Centre  to get information on the hiking trails. We took two short hiking trails, less than a km each  on our way to Norris Point on Bonne Bay. The Mattie Mitchell National Historic Site & Trail commemorates the Mi'kmaq in Newfoundland. Mattie Mi'kmaq was a 20th c. guide, trapper and prospector.

The Southeast Brook Falls Trail led to a beautiful cascading waterfall.

The view  at Norris Point was breath-taking and well worth the side trip. We returned and continued along  Route 430 which followed the shoreline of East Arm. More stunning vistas before turning inland. We drove through the communities of Glenburnie,  Birchy Head and Shoal Brook.  We visited the park's Discovery Centre at Woody Point, literally the end of the road. The centre had very interesting exhibits which explained the geology of the park.

We stopped briefly in Woody Point to mail cards.

We returned to the campground around 5:00. A great day of sightseeing in the park.