06 Jun Port Au Port – Pine Tree Traverse
If you have ever driven to Fox Island River/ Point Au Maul you know its a stunning drive with the Port Au Port Bay on the left and a group of jagged hills on your right, know collectively as “Pine Tree” – an off shoot of the long-range mountains not massive by any standard (~400 meters), but stunning none the less. I had wanted to travel across the section of open scree from one end, in fox island river (via the old crash site trail), to the other coming out on Cashin lane in Port Au Port East. I knew it would offer up some beauty views of Bay St. George, the Port Au Port Peninsula, and the former radar base. I first attempted the trip in the fall of 2014, cheating slightly by using the access road to the radar site… ultimately the route on the outside edge didn’t quite work out at the time. In subsequent years I made it work, with it becoming one of the first off trail runs I complete each spring – because the snow leaves so early
Pine Tree Traverse – Approx Route
An aside, both these trails, especially the Cashin’s Lane in Port Au Port East, are highly accessible, and great hikes, walks, offering beauty views – more info here. The crash site trail is located on Fox Island River Resource Road, (know locally as Mine Road) approx 2.5km in, on the right hand site… part way up the trail is an old plane crash site. A truck is recommended to get in the road… with the head of the trail not being well marked – basically it looks like a small stream covered in alders.
Armed with my previous knowledge, the spring of this year (2016) I went for it – the 21km took around 3.5 hours… again there was a lot of tuck in one or two spots, but for the most part, and again with my previous knowledge, I worked the route out pretty well (more then willing to send the track file if anyone requires) – it still amazes me where I find man made cut trails, and of course moose trails! And, again it did offer the views I was looking for… great run! Make sure you pick a beauty day, because you are quite exposed
The Pine Tree Traverse – Heading towards the Pine Tree Radar Site
Top of Crash Hill Trail – Beauty view of Point Au Maul
Views of The Lewis Hills
Heading towards Pine Tree Radar Site
Almost Done!
Former Pine Tree Radar Site part of the American Air-force base in Stephenville from 1941 until 1966
Top of Cashin Lane Trail – The abandoned ski hill
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