Bear Cove Point Lighthouse

Monday, September 4, 2023

Hi Blog!

During our stay here near Tors Cove on the Avalon Peninsula, we were hoping to visit all the lighthouses. Time was running out and there was one more lighthouse on our list, but the weather just wasn't cooperating. So, rather than hike 8 miles out and back in potential rain, we decided to drive the old gravel road out to the lighthouse to make sure we added it to our collection.  If you look closely, that's the lighthouse, between the keeper's cabin and the spruce tree, behind and to the right of the trailhead sign.  It lights softly but carries a big foghorn.

On our way to Bear Cove, we caught this view of the Ferryland Lighthouse perched above a pool of fog. We just had to stop and snap a photo.

Construction of a fog alarm and light at Bear Cove Point began in 1913, and the station was completed and placed in operation the following summer. Electricity reached the station in 1973, and the light and fog alarm were altered to run off the new power source. In 2012, the old light was torn down and replaced with this new tower.

When first built, the station had a one-story engine house, keeper’s dwelling, and storehouse, each flat-roofed and painted white with one black horizontal stripe. Time has taken its toll on the keepers house. The black stripe is barely visible.

Since the East Coast Trail traverses Bear Cove Point, we decided to do a couple hikes -- one to the north and one to the south. This way, if the rain came, we could make it back to the Jeep without getting too drenched. We decided to go north first to see Bear Cove.

The East Coast Trail Association is a registered charity established to provide a wilderness hiking experience by developing and maintaining the East Coast Trail, promoting public access, minimizing its impact on the natural environment and protecting it for future generations. Since 1994, the East Coast Trail Association has developed 300 km of coastal wilderness hiking trails. We certainly appreciate their boardwalks though the bogs.

As we hiked, the fog crept along the surface of the sea and slowly rose up the cliffs in gentle wisps and tendrils. The temperature would drop significantly and tiny drops would settle on our packs. Just as fast as it came, it rolled out again.

When we walked through the coastal woods, the fog seemed to stay above the trees. We were very grateful for the trail work. Especially in the muddy sections.

Since we arrived on the Avalon Peninsula, we haven't seen a single moose. However, this moose print in the mud proves that there are moose here; they are just shy.

Looking back over Bear Cove to Bear Cove Point Lighthouse:

We included this picture because everyone loves a "fun guy!"

We crossed several streams as we made our way north to Sleeper's Point.

Looking back, we could no longer see the lighthouse.

We crossed Little Meadow. According to our trail guide, by the time we reached the next bridge, we should have been crossing a broad blackberry heath.

We searched and searched and never found a single blackberry. We found some rocks, just north of and below Fanny's Cove Meadow, and decided to have our lunch listening to the waves thunder against the rocks below.

The mist was our constant companion.

After lunch, we worked our way south, past the lighthouse, and on toward Southern Cove. We had to cross the Bear Cove River.

We took a short side trail to South Point.

From our vantage point on South Point, we were able to take a 270 degree panorama showing the entire Southern Cove.

We managed to finish our hiking before the rain rolled in. Tomorrow is a washout, so it may be a few days before we get out and about again. 

 

But we know we will.  As a friend is fond of saying, "Keep Smiling!"