MacKenzie Mountain Look-off — The Gulf of St. Lawrence

MacKenzie Mountain Look-off — The Gulf of St. Lawrence is the middle of three roadside viewing decks along this stretch of the Cabot Trail. It gives you a broad view over the Gulf and a panel about what lies beneath the water. Come here for the Gulf story; the separate Whales deck is the stop to scan for spouts.

Look across Pleasant Bay and the coast beyond. The curve of the bay and the forested ridges give the view its scale. In a photo, keep some shoreline and foreground trees in frame; an all-water shot loses the shape of the coast.

The exhibit contrasts the Gulf with the Atlantic: its water is warmer and less salty. It explains the underwater troughs and shelves, like valleys and plateaus beneath the surface, and how currents create fish habitat. The Gulf is also an important transportation waterway and a route for migrating marine mammals.

MacKenzie has separate Highland Plateau, Gulf, and Whales interpretation stops; this is the middle one. Choose it for the broad water view and the Gulf's geology, and use the Whales deck if you want to scan for spouts. A park pass is required to tour the Cabot Trail through the park.