Hiking Mont Jacques Cartier- A Family Expedition

Last August I hiked Mount Jacques Cartier

with family and friends.

     The highest mountain peak in Eastern Quebec, Canada, in the Appalachian Mountains Range, The Chic Choc Mountains of the Gaspe. 4,160 ft. high, the total distance of the trail is 8,4 km.(5.5 miles) up and down. 

        The silence, the clean air, the view from the top and of course seeing Alpine Caribou, the last remaining herd in Eastern Quebec, south of the St. Lawrence, made it worth the effort. 
 It was a great experience and doing it with family and friends made it more fun and enjoyable.

We drove into Parc de la Gaspesie 
and followed the Beautiful Cascapedia River.

This river has long been recognized as

 one of Quebec's richest Atlantic Salmon rivers.

We passed  Hog's Back Mountain 

On arriving, we pay a small fee for the bus ride
 further into the forest 
and entry into the Park at this Outpost


We boarded a bus for a short ride to our trail 

After eating our lunch here,
 we started our climb to the top.
 My daughter, Suzanne and Felix,
 the youngest in the group, a real trooper.

I took a quick pic of the group. 
My daughter's family and friends.
Melanie and Francois. 
Judging by my family's wooden poles,
 we are unexperienced hikers.

We start the rocky climb

Rocks and more rocks. 
We did not realize how intense this climb would be
(I'm the one in green)

Checking out the Caribou in the distance

Not much vegetation at this Altitude,
 only Rocks and Lichen.

Lichen, (a fungus on the Rocks)

 the primary source of Caribou Food.

Francois and Felix enjoying the View

Little Sabrina enjoyed this adventure 
We got caught in the rain on 
the  way down the mountain and 
she slipped on wet rock and broke her pole.

She was unhurt, this was the only minor incident.

A Pause
Other people ahead of us

Climbing towards the Summit 
on the steps.(125 of them) ......

A resting area 

Large stairs to climb. Mathieu did great. 
These stairs are difficult for short legs.

 The Children did well -125 Steps

Caribou Poop 

Martin and Mathieu with the Summit in the distance 

Melanie, almost there 

My daughter and Granddaughter at Summit

We made it, My Granddaughter and Me

On the way down, We saw more Caribou 

 Lakes in the distance

A family outing turned out to be 

A Great Experience.
Looking forward 

to our next mountain..

Take time to enjoy

the simple pleasures

of life

Thanks for your visit xo