Ferry Gulch to Bakeapple Pond

Ferry Gulch to Bakeapple Pond is a 21 km return route from Gros Morne Mountain trailhead, spread across two days with a night at Ferry Gulch. The approach follows the established mountain trail before turning off toward camp; the second leg continues onto the Long Range plateau to Bakeapple Pond and a view over Ten Mile Pond, then returns the same way. Expect about 1,240 m of climbing across the full itinerary. This is strenuous backcountry travel for hikers who are fit, have overnight experience, and can find a route without signs. The distance alone is not the commitment: you carry camp, spend a night out, and follow unmarked ground at elevation. Plan the overnight before leaving town. If what you want is a marked mountain day hike, the Gros Morne Mountain summit trail is a separate option, but it does not reach Bakeapple Pond.

Start at the Gros Morne Mountain Trailhead parking area on Route 430. Follow the established mountain trail roughly 4 km to the base, then take the branch to the right toward Ferry Gulch. The route map puts camp about 7.7 km from the car park and shows around 680 m of climbing and 140 m descending on this approach. Reaching camp is only the first day's work: the next day's unmarked trip adds a long climb over backcountry ground. Ferry Gulch is primitive, but has wooden tent pads, a food locker and pit toilet. Campfires are prohibited, so carry a stove. Reserve this campsite before setting out and bring all food for both days. The itinerary allows one or two nights at camp; a second night can leave room for a weather delay.

From camp, follow the Gros Morne Mountain trail east to the far end of the small pond at LR-15. Leave the maintained trail there. A series of game paths heads northeast about 500 m across Ferry Gulch to LR-14b; from there, a path climbs south through a small elevated valley. Stay on its west side as you gain the Long Range plateau, then follow the beaten path east to Bakeapple Pond. This is a route to navigate, not a marked footpath: previous hikers’ tracks can be hard to tell from animal paths. The viewpoint looks over Ten Mile Pond, with Bakeapple Pond nearby. Include some of Bakeapple Pond in front of the wider water beyond for a photo that shows both scales. Retrace the same way to Ferry Gulch and back to the trailhead; don't connect this trip to the full Long Range Traverse or the mountain summit route.

The route is offered only in the summer backcountry season; check the dates for your year. Ferry Gulch must be reserved, and hikers need both a primitive-camping permit and a national-park entry permit for the full stay. Pick them up before walking out; confirm the current collection cutoff and location when you make the booking. Strong fitness, backcountry experience and wilderness navigation skills are essential. Low cloud makes the unmarked plateau route hard to follow, so leave camp for Bakeapple only when visibility is good, and carry a map, compass and GPS you know how to use. Pets may accompany this route on leash, but are not permitted on the Gros Morne summit. The optional summit excursion from camp is about two hours return; it is a separate outing and adds to the effort.