The Ascent to the Col as Seen from the North Summit
of Meat Cove Mountain

As seen in this photo from last year, an unnamed brook carved the valley that lies between the north summit of Meat Cove Mountain and the interesting rocky ridge in the middle ground through which the Meat Cove Trail climbs up the mountain above and along the brook, which was completely dry on this day. The views on this page were taken from the north summit and concentrate on this valley, where the fall colours were at their peak near the col, though not as advanced further down the valley.

Photo #1 is a wide-angled view of this valley, which, from this perspective, is mostly hidden by the terrain. The north summit of Meat Cove Mountain is in the immediate foreground and the further edge of the valley is delimited by the rocky ridge in the middle ground. The flowers in the foreground are the light lavender asters seen previously.

Photo #2 is a continuation of photo #1 to the south (right), showing more of the valley, again marked by the orange tree tops, as it rises to the col and the south summit. The profile of St Paul Island can just barely be made out in the far distance at the left of the photo.

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Photo #3 is a telephoto view of the rock face at the centre left of photo #1, showing the darker seams of rock embedded in the lighter ones, which is characteristic of the rocks that form this ridge. Some of the ridge below this rock, which shows the same variation in colour, is seen at the left of photo #2 in better detail. In the foreground, the orange band of colour is formed by the tops of the trees through which the Meat Cove Trail runs above and along the brook.

Photo #4 looks at a part of the ridge not seen in photos #1 and #2 (but visible in the first photo on the next page) at another large and very interesting rock structure showing the same variation in colour but significantly more erosion, making columns at the base of the structure. The path of exposed sand/gravel that starts at the upper right and continues to the lower left seems to be a run-off channel that must have enough volume at some times of the year to keep vegetation from colonizing it, though a few intrepid individual specimens seem to have established a firm grip in the soil.

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Photo #5 looks down at the unnamed brook valley as it leads up to the col. The deciduous trees in the upper reaches of this valley are not primarily maples and the orange and yellow leaves here are at their peak. Those on the far side of the valley are just beginning to change, showing mixed green and orange.

Photo #6 looks to the south (right) of photo #5 at the valley as it approaches the col. The taller of the trees have already been stripped bare, while the others are enjoying their day in the sun.

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Photo #7 continues the panorama, looking yet further to the south. Here, the forest comes to an end as it gets close to the col. The ridge at the upper right leads to the south summit of Meat Cove Mountain.

Photo #8 finishes the panorama, showing the col and the slope leading up to the south summit. The boulder just right of centre is where the trail up to the col comes out; the path the trail takes to the north summit crossing its grassy slopes can be seen in the middle ground.