Restoration Begins on Stowbridges Basecamp

Early on October 22, the IATNL’s Arne Helgeland, Kevin Noseworthy and Paul Wylezol set off in boat from Cox’s Cove in Middle Arm, Bay of Islands for Stowbridges Cove in North Arm.

View of Cox’s Cove from Middle Arm (click on photo to make larger)

With them were new windows, assorted lumber and miscellaneous building supplies needed to start restoration of a 50+ year old fishing house now hiking camp at the base of the North Arm Hills, a location central to the planned Cabox Global Geopark spanning the four Bay of Islands Ophiolites from Lewis Hills to Tablelands.

They were onboard True North Charter & Tours’ Pilgrim, operated by skipper Tony Oxford and First Mate Andrew Oxford.

The ride took approximately 45 minutes

and ended when the Pilgrim entered tiny but sheltered Stowbridges Cove, on the eastern side of Stowbridge’s Point.

After ferrying the construction materials onshore via a small Bay of Islands dory,

the trio wasted little time getting to work cleaning up outside around the two storey house

cleaning and painting the downstairs interior

and installing two downstairs windows.

They finished just in time for an evening walk to Back Cove Beach, only 5 minutes over the hill to the west

View of Back Beach (click on photo to make larger)

where they had a few “diet colas” and watched the sun set between Lark Harbour Head and Guernsey Island (aka Weeboll).

Kevin Noseworthy (left) and Arne Helgeland at Back Cove Beach

The sun continued shining throughout Day Two, allowing more outside work and a pleasant autumn hike around the surrounding ophiolite landscape.

View of James Cook’s Stone Brook, with Back Cove and the Bay of Islands in background (click on photo to make larger)

The 2,000ft+ (610m+) North Arm Hills, like their better known Tablelands sibling, are composed mostly of the earth’s mantle and are ultramafic peridotite that oxidizes and turns a rust-colored orange.

At James Cook’s Stone Brook they are bisected by a deep and steep meandering valley characterized by serpentine outcroppings and peridotite scree fields.

View of James Cook’s Stone Brook bisecting the North Arm Hills (click on photo to make larger)

The top of the hills are almost entirely barren and devoid of plant life, and are a pleasant grade that makes for easy walking.

View across the top of the North Arm Hills (click on photo to make larger)

From Stowbridges Cove, it is a 2-day walk to either cross the mountains to the southeast end of Gros Morne National Park’s Trout River Pond (via the Overfalls Trail) or to loop around James Cook’s Stone Brook.

But that was more time than Arne, Kevin and Paul had on this October trip. After two nice days of work and play, they packed up their bags just in time, as the Pilgrim rounded Stowbridges Head.