Posted by Paul (in NY) on Monday, July 25, 2005 at 1:18PM :
Until the Mid 1990’s, travel across Labrador Canada was limited to Air, Snowmobile, Dog Sled or Walking. With the Construction of the Trans Labrador Highway or Rt 500 and as the Locals call it, “The Freedom Road” (as it gave them the freedom to move) , one can now drive from Goose Bay/Happy Valley Labrador to Labrador City, Labrador, And then connect to Quebec RT 389, also a wilderness road, ending up at the St Lawrence River. In making this wilderness run, you will be driving on 539 miles of Gravel Road. This road has many faces. You will experience loose stone, like driving on Large Marbles, Serious Washboard and Many Miles of driving on Boulder Heads, Narrow Bridges, Steep Grades (18% at Manic 5), Soft Shoulders and Serious Drop Off’s. You will not find Radar Traps. There are no cell phones up there, If you want communication, a Satellite Phone is required. You must be prepared to handle your own problems. Broken Windshields and Flat Tires are a special Hazard. Many of the Locals carry tubeless tire plugs and a compressor. Not much help for us with Tube Tires. The Carryall ran 3411 total miles and consumed 131.64 gallons of Cetane Boosted Diesel for a mileage of 25.9115 MPG. She never skipped a beat. A quick bath, change the oil and filters and she could re-trace her path all the way.
When my M-37 Bandit is complete and road proven, I plan to run Labrador, RT 510 that runs from L’Anse-au-Clair to Cartwright, Labrador. This also is all gravel for almost 600 km. And presently a link is being built that will link Cartwright to Goose Bay/Happy Valley Labrador. When this is complete in a few years, it will be possible to drive from L’Anse-au-Clair to Labrador City all on wilderness gravel road. This is one of the last true long distance wilderness gravel roads in North America. When you reach North West River, Labrador you are at the END of all roads in this part of North America. To drive further north, one must go to Alberta, Canada.
I have put all the pictures on Image Event in an album " Trans Labrador 2005" Included is a complete trip report. If you have problems with connection speed and large files, as I do, I will be happy to send you a CD which is a copy of everything on the Image Just email me and ask.....
If you love wilderness and the beauty of nature, this is one trip you must consider. I will work with any one seriously considering this trip so you have no surprises
Paul
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