Leslie Storm Damage Update

Sunday, December 2, 2012

Tropical storm Leslie (September 11, 2012) visited the East Coast Trail and left significant damage with blow down trees and heavy and high leaners over the trail.

This was the third major storm to hit the East Coast Trail in the past four hurricane seasons. Fierce winds of up to 137 km/hr in a swath of 800 km diameter, impacted the trail, in particular, the south facing coastal sections.

Assessment of the entire 265 km of developed trail determined that over 4000 trees encumbered – often blocking or disappearing – the trail and required attention.

Volunteers and ECTA seasonal crew have performed heroic work to clear or make passable, all developed paths between St. John’s and Cape St. Francis as well as various of the paths, or portions of paths, south of St. John’s. Specific information is available for each developed path listed on the Trail Detail section under Current Path Status. For example, Cape Spear Path, Mickeleens Path and Tinkers Point Path have been cleared of blow down and leaners but Flamber Head Path has only been cleared or made passable from Flamber Head south and from Cape Neddick north. Several paths, including Island Meadow Path, Cape Broyle Path and Sounding Hills Path, remain blocked in many places at this time, quite possibly with the trail unidentifiable in places.

Our winter is just thinking about beginning and no doubt we will be enduring more winter storms. Hikers are advised to check the website for updated information and invited to contact information@eastcoasttrail.com with any trail and storm updates encountered.

Further blow down clearing and treadway repair will occur in late spring 2013 depending on funding.

Thank You to the participating public for your help in attempting to keep your local trail clean, clear, viable and visible.

Story and photos by J. Van Houwelingen

Tinkers Point Path, Father Troy, Sounding Hills, Biscan Cove Path, Cape Broyle Head Path