On October 19, IAT Chairperson Paul Wylezol and Dermot Wescott of International Alliance For Missions made a colorful autumn day-trek into Little Codroy Pond (aka Little River Lake) in southwestern Newfoundland. The area is covered under a Special Management Area agreement between Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited and IATNL, and holds great eco and adventure tourism potential for the province’s west coast. It is also on the route of the IATNL Grand Codroy Way.
After a 2-hour drive from the city of Corner Brook, the trek began at 9:30am with a 3 km (2 mile) 45 minute leisurely walk on an old dirt track from the Trans Canada Highway to the western shore of the 5 km (3 mile) long lake.
Our introduction to the abundant and colorful large birch trees throughout the 1 km wide valley between 1500ft mountains was made along this quaint and occasionally wet wilderness road.
Nearing the lake, the track climbs a small hill which provides the first view of Little Codroy Pond, with a smaller half-kilometer wide pond and outfitter’s camp in the foreground.
Once at the rocky beach, Paul and Dermott walk the shoreline towards “Falls Peak” on the northwest corner of the valley.
View video of Little Codroy Pond
From there they walk through a large stand of mature birch and climb the mountain to the base of the falls, which then flows underground to the lake below.
View video of the hillside stream
The view from the base of the falls shows the mouth of the Little Codroy River in relation to the lake, small pond, and Long Range Mountains to the south.
From the falls the two day-trekkers head for the river, where it begins a 20 kilometer (12 mile) flow to the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
View video of Little Codroy River
then circle around behind the small pond to get a reflecting view of the Falls Peak
View video of Little Codroy Valley
before climbing a small hill at its base and getting a terrific view of Little Codroy Pond and the surrounding birch trees.
By then the sun was low in the sky and it was time to make the easy stroll back to the truck. But it was a great day in a beautiful valley. Now for the long wait until next year, to do some more exploring in the mountains above!