Aspy Fault Traverse, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

[Shane E]

Companion forum thread to: Aspy Fault Traverse, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada

The Polletts Cove – Aspy Fault Wilderness Area is a completely unpopulated preserve north of the famed Cabot Trail in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia.  It is

[Matthew / BPL]

Wow! Lovely photos!

[obx hiker]

Meat Cove here we come!  Oh wait a minute. Foreign nationals can’t enter Canada for leisure activities, like backpacking. How about if I volunteer to help build trail?

Nice report, great shots, and good links but I couldn’t load the map? Still the links had plenty of further info.  Can’t wait to visit Cape Breton Island.

Where’d you go for the pizza and beer? That end of the island looks, well not like there’s pizza right around the corner; which is a good thing!

[Shane E]

Hey.  Thanks for the comments.  Canada will open up later this summer (hopefully) and we’d love to have you!!!

Funny you should ask about the pizza/beer.  Math is challenging at the end of a 4-day walk.  We arrived at Polletts Cove around 5, had a quick supper, then hiked up the trail to the vehicles for 9-ish…then drove almost three hours to Mark’s folks place in Syndey Mines (though he’d say Florence; and he’d be correct) where they had the beer in the fidge and a sub and a donair (if I’m being honest the pizza joints were closed at that point).  Head hit the pillow at 2AM (which is less normal for me these days that it used to be :)

[Duane Hall]

Ah, that’s my country! I’ve spent many days hiking and camping in the Polletts Cove backcountry. Meat Cove to Polletts Cove twice, and one east to west crossing.  Going back in there sometime in August.

Great article

 

Cheers . . . Duane Hall

[Michael MacKichan]

Shane,

Great article! I enjoyed the photos as well. I am also fearful that IG has ruined this hidden gem. I’ve done the MC to PC trek a three times, taking three different routes. It was stunning each time. It’s nice to see a CB trip report on BPL!

[Shane E]

Hi Michael.  Thanks for the comment.  I would agree that Polletts is trashed (evidenced most notably by the sketchy feeling I get drinking filtered water from Polletts River) but the terrain in between MC and PC is quite pristine in my opinion.  Interestingly, the Meat Cove/Lowland Cove trail loop and the (consequently easily accessed) coastal land it leads to is quite beautiful and untouched.  Hopefully it remains so into the future.

I think I’m in favour of developing the Seawall Trail as it should monitor and regulate access as well as maintain the area.  To say nothing of the jaw dropping scenery and potential economic impact.

[Author]

Posts