Gros Morne National Park

by Michael Burzynski

Book Overview

Gros Morne is the largest and most spectacular national park in eastern Canada-one of the best known parks yet one of the least visited. It is renowned as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for its... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550811355
• ISBN13: 9781550811353
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Breakwater Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 1.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

A Valuable Overview of a Natural Treasure

Gros Morne National Park on the west coast of Newfoundland is one of Canada and North America's greatest treasures. Yet, it is also is one of the least known. Michael Burzynski's book provides an excellent overview of the Park which anyone planning a first visit would be well advised to purchase and read. It will greatly enhance a visit. The book is aimed at the first time visitor but it promises to continue to be useful on subsequent visits . Mr. Burzynski assumes the reader to be intelligent, curious, and to have a desire to go a bit beyond the basics. There are sections on the Park's animals, plants, and history and its unique, intricate geology. All of this is woven into description of the all-important weather and seasons. This includes appropriate warnings for visitors not familiar with the severity of this magnificent land's climate. Besides natural history, there are useful guides to trails, backcountry (and car) camping, and an overview of the Park's justifiably famous and arduous unmarked backcountry routes. However, be aware that no trail maps are included. Descriptions include activities appropriate to each season. If I were to level a slight criticism, it would be that much of the material in the book can be found in a series of publications that are available at the Park or in some cases, on the Parks Canada website. Moreover, I might have hoped for more detail in a number of places (for example, in some of the trail descriptions). However, these criticisms are minor. I continue to find the book useful, as have some friends. It provides a complete overview of the Park in one convenient, portable form, it is nicely written, and it is generally very well produced. Over the years I have read many "National Park" books and this is probably the most useful and informative. If you haven't been to Gros Morne, you should go. This unique place is remote, not heavily visited, and very much worth the trip. Michael Burzynski's book will provide you with an excellent guide and the Newfoundlanders make wonderful hosts.

A Useful Overview of a Natural Treasure

The book is clearly aimed at the first time visitor. Mr. Burzynski assumes the reader to be intelligent, curious, and to have a desire to go a bit beyond the basics. There are sections on the Park's animals, plants, and history and its unique, intricate geology. All of this is woven into description of the all-important weather and seasons. This includes appropriate warnings for visitors not familiar with the severity of this magnificent land's climate. Besides natural history, the book includes a useful guide to trails, backcountry (and car) camping, and an overview of the Park's justifiably famous and arduous backcountry routes (the Long Range and North Rim traverses). Be cautioned however, that no trail maps are included. Descriptions include activities appropriate to each season. If I were to level a gentle criticism, it would be that much of the material in the book can be found in a series of publications that are available at the Park or in some cases, on the Park's website. Moreover, I might have hoped for more detail in a number of places (for instance, in some of the trail descriptions). However, the fact is that these criticisms are minor -- I continue to find the book useful, as have some friends. It presents a great overview of the Park in one convenient, portable form, it is nicely written, and it is generally very well produced. Over the years I have read many "National Park" books and this is probably the most useful and informative. A final note. If you haven't been to Gros Morne, you should go. This unique place is remote and not heavily visited and very much worth the trip. Michael Burzynski's book will provide you with an excellent guide and the Newfoundlanders make wonderful hosts.