2013 pics - Argentia to Port Aux Basques

Day 1 Friday September 6 :  North Sydney, NS to  Argentia, NL We parked our vehicles at A&L parking across from the ferry terminal. Then we rode the ATV's right on the ferry. Time: 16.5 hour over-night ride  17:45 to 10:00 the next morning. Day's Costs (in 2013) $112.02 adult ticket $112.56 for ATV $171.55 for two or four bunk room (divide the cost by the number of people) $42.00 for supper and breakfast $$ miscellaneous i.e. alcohol, snacks approx total $365.00

The entire trip East to West

2013 Trip Collage - click for larger size

Unloading the ATV's from the trailers. The furthest
of the two ferries is the one we took

The Yarmouth crew getting organized before loading. 
You can see the ferry in the background. 
Scott, Randy, Daniel, Kerry, Scott, Kelly and Terry 

Darryl and his Grizzly are ready to board

Bruce's boarding pass

Waiting to board the Atlantic Vision

Boarding the boat... the adventure begins! 

Grabbing my over-night bag before going to the main deck. Once upstairs  
you can't return to the vehicles until you arrive in NL. 

View from the main deck - we had good weather most of the trip.

Atlantic Vision is Marine Atlantic's largest and most luxurious ferry to
make the crossing. It's the only one that makes the 15 hour Argentia run.

Hanging out in the games room 

Darryl, Mike and Bob taking pictures of the ocean sunset

Day2 Saturday September 7: Argentia, NL to Clarenville, NL See the detailed GPS track here. Time: 8 hrs - 10 minutes 10:40 trail start (3.1 km from ferry) 18:50 Clarenville - St. Jude's Hotel Distance: 146.4 km (90.96 miles) Fuel: Gas stop at 115 km (71.5 miles)  14.73 litres (3.9 gallons) avg 12.8 l/100 kms (18.37 mpg) Days Costs$33.20 for Hotel Supper $21.00 gas $68.37 St. Jude's Room (per person per double occupancy) $$$ Miscellaneous approx total $130.00

The first day on the trail It was the first day on the trail and the weather was fantastic. It was long but we took our time, stopped for photos and explored on foot.  Overall it was a great first day and everyone had a good time. We ate at the Hotel restaurant for supper and gathered in one of our rooms for drinks.

Bob, Daryl, Bruce and Murray take in the scenery while docking

"Bob Squishing"

The making of Bob Squishing

A view from the ferry when pulling into Argentia

Taking a moment to get organized at the start of the trail

The first picture of the trail

There was a lot of water on the first 30 km (18 miles) of trail due to
heavy rain the week before. This much water is unusual. It looks worse than it was.

A trail break

I was able to pack a lot in my home made storage box.

One of many tunnel crossings under Provincial Highways.

Another pit stop - Moosey, and I, opted for a set of Red Bull Wings

Moosey's long lost relative

This part of the trail had a lot of flat lands. There was a lot of different types
of scenery during the week. I loved it all.

Midday sun

One of the inuksuk's we came across

setting up a tripod shot

The tripod shot!

Another Tripod Shot

Arriving at St. Jude's Hotel. We parked out back next to
our rooms. They had a great restaurant.

Day 3

Sunday September 8:  Clarenville to Gander See the GPS track here. Time: 9 hrs 40 mins 09:30 - Trail start 19:10 - Arrived Gander  Distance: 146.1 km (90.78 miles) Fuel: Gas stop - 38.9 km  (24.17 miles)  we fill up whenever we can 7.62 litres (2.83 US gallons) avg 10.74 l/100 kms (21.9 mpg) Days Costs$15.53 Motel breakfast $10.89 gas $65 per person for Frosty's trailside Motel $22.08 for supper and at Rosie's restaurant $$Miscellaneous approx. total $120.00

The second day on the trail Our second day on the trail and again, the sky was blue and the sun was shining. We stopped frequently to take pictures and we found a waterfall we explored for about an hour or so.  We also stopped at a pub in Gambo, and navigated around a few washouts. This added to the time required to complete the day's journey. If you don't stop as much as we did you could finish quicker - but you'll miss the scenery!

Bright eyed and bushy tailed for another day on the trail

We stopped and explored this waterfall for over an hour.
Turns out there were two other waterfalls above and behind it. 

Mike had to jump in and test the water at waterfall 1

Waterfall 2

Waterfall 3

The Third waterfall, Murray said the water was great

Stopping at the bridge at Terra Nova National Park

A view of the falls from the bridge 

A nice find in the Town of Gambo. We stopped for a beer
before hitting the trail again.

Our first major washout

Our second major washout. See the video below of how we got around it.

We met up with the Yarmouth crew and spent the night at Frosty's.
As of 2016 they are all booked every night with construction crews. 
Stay at the Comfort Inn instead.

Day 4 Monday September 9: Gander to Badger See the GPS track here. Time: 6 hrs 45 minutes 10:00 start in Gander (after gassing up) 16:45 arrived in Badger Distance: 137 kms (85.12 miles) Fuel: gas stop before we started out  12.2 litres (3.22 US gallons) gas stop at 101 km (62 miles) 11.5 litres (3.03 gallons) Days Costs $65.00 Trailblazers motel $12.61 breakfast at Rosie's restaurant $17.44 gas $16.74 gas $15.00 bbq food for supper $$miscellaneous - snacks, beer etc. approx. total $140

The third day on the trail The third day on the trail was as beautiful as the two previous days. We didn't take as many photos as previous days and only stopped for a BBQ lunch, gas,  and when we arrived in Badger. This was one of the shortest travel days we had and there were lots of long stretches where we averaged 55 - 65 km/h (35-40 mph).

Rosie's is a restaurant in Gander, right on the trail. Check out the 
Map on the first page on the blog to see it. Friendly staff and great food!

We got some supplies at the Wal Mart in Gander before hitting the road

Bruce bought swimmers goggles to keep the dust out of his eyes. They worked great.

A friendly local that approached us during a pit stop (in the middle)

Apparently Newfoundland is committed to improving the trail.
Some sections definitely need some work but are passable.

Unfortunately we saw quite a few vehicles in certain sections

One of several long straight sections encroached with brush

Another BBQ lunch break on the trail.

Burgers and hotdogs all around

The road on the right is a path to an Irving Gas Station

Arriving in Badger - Trailblazer's was just down the trail about 1 km (.6 miles)

We stayed here and took several pictures and enjoyed the sunshine
before heading to Trailblazers and making supper

Bob and Murray

Bruce and Murray

Darryl wearing the Wolf Snout to keep the dust out

Patrick enjoying the sun and the break

Bruce, Murray and Bob

Trailblazer's Efficiency Units. It's a great spot with large common area,
kitchen, and washer and dryer that came in handy. I took this picture from the trail.

Darryl plugged my punctured tire in about five minutes.
It was the only tire issue for any of us the entire trip. 
The air compressor came in handy.

Day5

Tuesday September 10: Badger to Deer Lake

See the GPS track here.

Time:
10:00 started the day
17:52 arrived at Deer Lake - Driftwood Inn

approx 8 hours (including a few hours for stops)

Distance:
133 km (83 miles)

Fuel:

gas stop before we left 

4.9 litres (1.3 US Gallons)

gas stop at Howley after 105 km (63 miles)
12 litres (3.17 US gallons)

top up at Deer Lake

6 litres (1.58 US gallons)

$7.00 gas
$17.16 gas

$8.66 gas

$58.76 Driftwood Inn
$28.58 supper at Motel 

$$ miscellaneous

approx total $130

Approx 8 hours of great riding with sunshine all day. Temp was about 22C (71 F). We stopped at the granite quarry, gaff topsail, and the beaches at Howley area. We took tons of photos this day. 

The fourth day on the trail

Sunrise in Badger. I took this picture walking back to Trailblazers after
buying some breakfast grub at a nearby store.

filling up at the Badger Irving before hitting the trail

The granite quarry. Our group of six met up with the Yarmouth group of 10 for photos.

The bottom of the Gaff before we made the ascent. See the video below.

The view from the top of the Gaff

Both groups making lunch

Big Mike's happy pose

Darryl heats the beans

The beaches in Howley

Another beach at Howley - See the video below to see more of the beach areas

Mike and Bob went for another swim

The Dam at Deer Lake

the top of the dam

Getting our bearings on a local snow mobile map

Pointing out the final destination for the day

The Driftwood Inn rear parking lot is right off the trail

The Driftwood Inn pub

 Wednesday September 11: Deer Lake to Robinson's

See GPS track here.

Time:

09:15 ATV's picked up by Towing company to by pass the gap in the trail

10:30 Transport to Logger School Road by towing company

12:10 Arrived Serpentine Lake for lunch

13:30 Left the lake

18:50 Arrived at Robinson's

10 hours approximately

Distance:

173 km (107 miles)

Fuel:

gas stop at 16:00
14.126 litres (3.73 US gallons)

$20.20 gas
$40.00 for tow trucks
$5.20 Burger King Breakfast - don't laugh the pancakes were great.
$12.00 supper at Pirate's Haven

$108.25 Pirate's Haven Chalets. (3 people per chalet)
$$miscellaneous
approx total $200.00

This was a long day and it rained hard pretty much all day but luckily the temperature was warm. Everyone seemed to have a fantastic time despite the weather.

Early morning breakfast at Burger King - the pan cakes were good.

getting our atv's packed on tow trucks to cover the gap in the trail

Arriving at Logger School Road. It leads back to the T'Railway.

arriving at Serpentine Lake

Serpentine Lake - Too bad it was clouded over that day

Making use of the tarp to keep the rain off

Arriving at the Pirate's Haven Chalets main office/bar/restaurant.

The bar

Fresh cod dinner was an especially nice touch after our long day of rain.

One of the Pirate's Haven Chalets we rented. It was very comfortable spot with
great service and food!

The view of the trail from the Chalets

Aerial view of the Pirate's Haven Chalets (taken from their website)

Thursday September 12: Robinson's to Port Aux Basques

See GPS track here.

Time:

12:15 start
19:25 end of trail (ferry terminal was about 5 minutes away)

7 hours - including side excursion to the Table Mountains

Distance:

130 km (80 miles)

Fuel:

top up before we left

7.386 litres

$42.25 adult ferry ticket

$55.61 ATV cost for ferry

$61.35 per person for 2 bunk room 

$9.50 ferry breakfast

$10.00 bbq supper food (we had in the parking lot while waiting to load onto the boat)

$$miscellaneous

approx. total $160

About another $200 for truck gas, parking, and other miscellaneous items

We didn't have far to go this day so we left around noon and stopped several times for photos and explored the Table Mountains. It was over cast but it didn't rain and the temperature was warm. 

                           

Bruce, Bob and Mike enjoyed the hot tub at the Chalets
before hitting the trail.

Topping off with fuel at Salt Water Joyz (used to be Pirate's Hideaway)

A waterfall on the Table Mountains - We searched for a trail that
might have led up there but couldn't find one.

Exploring a side trail

Crossing a river for the hell of it

Some of us made the climb to the top of the Table Mountains.
Too bad it was clouded over and we couldn't see anything.

The view (or lack of) from the top of the table mountains

Bruce negotiates his way back down the mountain

Mike and Bob went to another mountain and it wasn't shrouded
in mist like the other one.

One of the many beautiful lakes close to Port Aux Basques

One of the many beaches on the opposite side of the trail
from the lake in the above picture

Panoramic with Darryl - click to see larger view

The end/start of the trail on the Port Aux Basques side

The mandatory spray down before getting on the ferry

Later while waiting to board we fired up the bbq and
had some sausages in the parking lot.

Day 8 - Arriving in Nova Scotia and the drive home

I had a 3 hour drive. The rest of our group had about a 4 hour drive and some of the Yarmouth group had a 7 hour drive to get home.

The trip completed and packing up to head home

Our Yarmouth buddies caught hands-up fever