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A challenging but must-do trail.


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Map Key

0.7

Miles

1.2

KM

84%

Runnable

393' 120 m

High

234' 71 m

Low

129' 39 m

Up

160' 49 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (4°)

15%

Max Grade (9°)

Dogs No Dogs

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Views · Wildflowers · Wildlife

Need to Know

There is lots of parking space and a fully serviced chalet is open during ski season. Off season, there is no fee for trail use but donations are appreciated.

Runner Notes

The entire trail would be difficult for running with exposed rocks and roots along most of the path.

Description

Start on Snowshoe Trail D1 just past the Rabbit Run/Games Trail connector by the storage shed. The trail goes through a wonderful birch forest. Cross Games Trail and follow the narrow trail along the base of the cliff. It is a steady climb right to the intersection with Snowshoe Trail D6. Turn to follow D3 across Birches Run into a mature spruce forest. The wind seems to cause a lot of blow downs in this area so there may be detours. Follow the flagging tape.

Just beyond the intersection with Snowshoe Trail D7, enter a completely wide open area that was ravaged by fire thirty years ago. Regrowth of trees has been very slow in this area of shallow soil and bare rock and there are not many substantial trees to host signs and markers. Watch carefully for flagging tape. Previous tracks become quickly obliterated by drifting snow in this exposed area so watch for faint impressions if there is not a clear path. Not everyone follows the exact same route. On the knoll where D3 meets B1, the route is not always obvious, but turn at the large boulder back into a good spruce forest. The trail is narrow and winding as it descends to intersect with D2.

For people doing the route from this direction instead, the narrow winding bit is the most significant uphill climb and then the end of the trail is a nice down hill trek.

Usually only the portion of D3 by the cliff adjacent to Birches Run is used for summer running.

Flora & Fauna

There's a birch forest complete with ferns and wildflowers, a shady mixed forest of birch, spruce, willows and alders with a mossy carpet, a previously burnt area with struggling, birch and spruce underlain with caribou moss or Labrador tea, depending on the dampness and then back into a shady forest with large spruce. It's hard to picture this under the snow!

Shared By:

Betty Anne Fequet

Trail Ratings

  4.0 from 1 vote

#21

in Birch Brook

#20177

Overall
  4.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#21

in Birch Brook

#20,177

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53 Since Feb 21, 2019
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Photos

Snowshoe Trail D6 near D7 intersection.
Jan 18, 2019 near Happy V…, NL
Snowshoe trail D3 looking towards Goose Bay.
Jan 18, 2019 near Happy V…, NL
Trail D3 along the cliff face changes at every turn
Jan 4, 2019 near Happy V…, NL
Beautiful birch grove on Snowshoe trail D2 off Games Trail.
Jan 18, 2019 near Happy V…, NL
Snowshoe trail D5.
Feb 3, 2019 near Happy V…, NL
Beginning of Birches Run just off Games Trail
Feb 20, 2019 near Happy V…, NL

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