Recently IATNL Treasurer and Bay of Islands Chairperson Arne Helgeland led a day hike up the new IATNL access route from York Harbour (near Copper Mine Brook) to Blow Me Down Head. This access is the shortest route to the impressive landmark that provides a spectacular view of most of the Bay of Islands, from Lark Harbour to the outer islands, to the North Arm Hills, Humber Arm and Corner Brook.
The route was cut by the Service Canada/INTRD funded IATNL Bay of Islands work crew with help from local IATNL volunteers. At Blow Me Down Head it will connect to the main IATNL route over the Blow Me Down Mountains via "The Sands" in the Blow Me Down Brook valley. (You may recall photos I sent a week or two ago.) The route from the Frenchman's Cove Hummock to the Sands will be completed this week, with the workcrew then continuing on towards Benoits Cove.
Accompanying Arne on the recent trek to Blow Me Down Head were IATNL Humber Valley Hiking Club members Judie Gushue, Rod Mitchell, Roy Murley, and Terrence Noon. I'd like to thank them for sharing the attached photos, and contratulate them on being the first hikers on the new IATNL access route.
Thanks also to IATNL volunteers and local residents, including John Parsons and Alan Shepherd, for their help on the new route. Future plans call for a trail parking lot, as well as highway, trailhead, and trail signage.
In the meantime, don't forget to make time to take in the fall colors and smells on a trail near you. If you take any nice photos that you'd like to share, by all means send them along and I will be happy to forward them.
Paul Wylezol
Chairperson
IATNL
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