Mountains!

We hadn’t realized how much we’d been missing the mountains until we found ourselves back in a high region once again.

Towards the lake

The upper reaches of the Parc National de la Gaspésie were absolutely wonderful, and a particular highlight was the lac aux américaines, a small glacial lake and easy destination found at the end of a short trail.

lac aux américaines

The trail is easy, but be warned, the washboard roads are not kind on vehicles, and I wouldn’t have wanted to use a regular low slung car to get up there. Some did, but goodness, the toll on the paintwork and undercarriage…

The road got far more challenging as it climbed!

Anyway, if you find yourself up there, take the short hike and you’ll be rewarded with the prettiest of mountain scenes. We were fortunate to be there on a quiet and sunny day, not too hot and just right to sit and eat your lunch whilst taking in the lake.

Bend in the river

There isn’t a hike around the lake, but there are several longer (day plus) trails crisscrossing the park with routes above the lake. They’d offer some view if you’re willing to take them on!

Long view towards the lake (from much further back!)

We weren’t in full mountain hike mode, and were quite content to tackle shorter and moderate half day at most rambles. We saw long views, pretty river bends, tumbling waterfalls and rushing waters, and all on sunny days where the early fall light gave everything a slightly golden feel.

Tumbling

The only day where the weather threatened was on our half day lake paddle. It got very dark, a touch breezy, and there were actual raindrops. Raindrops, maybe as many as twenty or thirty. Hardly a deluge, I think we dodged one there.

More about this next week

Anyway, this was supposed to be about the mountains. Mountains! More on the paddling next week! Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Steps away from our campsite! Perfect sights and sounds…

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plaidcamper

I am a would be outdoorsman - that is if I had more time, skills and knowledge. When I can, I love being outdoors, just camping, hiking, snowboarding, xc skiing, snowshoeing, paddling a canoe or trying something new. What I lack in ability, I make up for in enthusiasm and having a go. I'd never really survive for long out there in the wild, but I enjoy pretending I could if I had to...

10 thoughts on “Mountains!”

  1. With gorgeous photos like these and that view steps away from your campsite, I might have to rethink the camping world!!! What a fabulous place and loved the Tumbling photo!! Wonderful to see your return to the mountains and this definitely looks like a place that should be visited as often as possible. Looking forward to reading about the paddling adventure. Enjoy the weekend and fall colors!!🙂

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    1. Thank you! We were happily surprised by how mountainous the region was (has us missing the western mountains and thinking about a bigger trip…)
      We’ve recently upgraded our camping comforts – after so many years sleeping on the ground, we suddenly found ourselves old and aching (me, anyway) and had to find a solution. Pictures on that soon!
      Was there an Everton win? I’ve never despaired, not once, since the start of the season😆
      Have a great week!

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  2. How beautiful. Like you Adam I love the mountains and seeing your photos makes me hanker for some more off road camping trips in our own high country. It’s been a while! Mind you, I’m loving the daily views here of the ocean but still, there’s something about the green and blue mountain vistas. Look forward to hearing more about the paddling. In the meantime, have a great weekend. 😊
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  5. There truly is nothing like being in the mountains and Parc National de la Gaspésie is breathtakingly beautiful. I had to look up this park, not being familiar with this area, and it’s lovely. Great descriptions of your adventure and all the majesty that surrounded you, pc. I liked seeing the cedar in the foreground with the wonderful waterfall, we don’t have a lot of cedar where I live and this is so vibrant. Much enjoyed, thank you.

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    1. We were so pleasantly surprised! Couldn’t believe what a gem it was and why it is so (relatively) unknown, given it is one of the more mountainous and fairly accessible parts of eastern Canada. Not that we were complaining about the quiet!

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