As part of Ontario Parks’ Healthy Parks Healthy People philosophy they created the First Day Hike challenge. The idea is to start the new year out right by going for a hike on January 1st (and sharing it on social media in hopes to win some prizes). This year we were not in Ontario for the holidays, so hiking in an Ontario Park was not an option, but we decided to complete the challenge anyway by hiking a section of the East Coast Trail in Newfoundland – not too shabby for a backup location.
Between Dan and I, we have hiked almost all of the sections of the East Coast Trail in the St. John’s region over the years, so we came up with some options that would be doable given the snowy weather and our lack of gear – which would have made a long through hike too risky and dangerous. We decided that a short section at the start of the Cobblers Path trail would be ideal since it was likely to be well travelled, and is sheltered by the trees until you reach the coast.
So, we headed out before lunch, made our way to the trail head – which is clearly marked by the East Coast Trail Association signage – and started our walk through the woods and out to the coast.
Blustery snow 
Much calmer in the woods
Walking through the woods was very beautiful and peaceful since the trees provided the much needed shelter from the wind. We were surprised to see just how well the trail was well packed in, given all the snow we had gotten over the previous week, which made passage easy. We just be careful to not step off the beaten path as you would sink past your knees in some places – often times into a soggy boggy mess.
As we approached the coast, the trees began the shrink quickly – so quickly that Hayden asked if he had just gown, Ant-Man style. Of coarse, the reason the trees are so small is not nearly as fantastic as something you’d find in a Marvel comic. It’s quite simple really: It’s windy… really, really windy… almost all the time. We made our way toward the point while making sure we stayed a good distance from the cliffs and taking refuge behind some rocks as the wind beat us with icy pellets and salty water from the ocean below. As the Newfie saying goes, it was “some day on clothes!”
Coastal winds! 
Hiding behind a rock 
Getting pushed by the wind 
Sure was windy! 
After only a few minutes of getting beaten by the wind, snow and salty air, we headed back to the shelter of the trees. All of our faces were exfoliated and cherry red but we were all still smiles!
Happy Hiking!
We had successfully completed our First Day Hike of 2020 and I am challenging you all to get out in the next few days for your first hike of the year 2020 if you did not get out on the first day.
Happy Hiking!