CRASH HILL by Clarence A. Pelley On October 3, 1946 an American Airline flight terminated on the side of this mountain. 39 lives were lost. Today, thirty-seven white Christian crosses and two Jewish Stars of David mark the graves. A bronze plaque lists the names of the dead.

Crash Hill, at 1525 feet above sea level, commands an inspiring view of Bay St. George and surrounding area. Part of the Indian Head Range, its summit is surrounded by tuckamore, dwarf juniper, alpine fens and meadows. Moose inhabit its lower slopes. Rock ptarmigan nest and raise their young among the higher rocks and bushes. The only trails to the summit are animal trails. This is a genuine wilderness area in sight of the town center.

The simplest approach to Crash Hill is through Black Duck Siding, a few miles along route 460. At Black Duck Siding, enter the road to Camp Ashanti as far as the old railbed. For most of the year the road beyond here is passable, however, beyond Camp Ashanti the going gets rough. At the bottom of Crash Hill, the road may be difficult, if not impassable.

From here you follow the logging road up the hill to where it forks. Leave the road here and head up the slope to the left. The cutovers give way to meadows and the meadows give way to tuckamore. From here to the summit the trail is difficult to follow. Stay out of the tuckamore! Follow the moose trails and as you near the top go around to the left of the pond.

If you travel quietly, travel carefully! This is the home of the moose, and black bears have been sighted on this hill. Neither take kindly to being surprised! On and around the rocky outcrops you may spot a rock ptarmigan. I've seen as many as a dozen at one time.

Much of the trail is boggy and wet. Waterproof footwear is advisable. If camping is the plan, the best place is near the top of the meadow. Good water is in short supply. Water-up before you leave the base of the hill. In any event, water taken from local ponds and streams should be filtered or otherwise purified before drinking. Human activity in this area is intense and animals are always present.

The view from the summit is spectacular! On a clear day you can see all the way to Cape Anguille, the most westerly part of the island of Newfoundland. To the east you may be able to see Hare Hill and the Long Range Mountains stretching to the north and south. To the north, the Lewis Hills, alluring and majestic, the highest on the island. Toward the southwest, Stephenville, Indian Head and Bay St. George.

The crash site and graveyard are on the hillside to the right as you look toward Stephenville. From the summit you may glimpse a white cross or two through the trees. Scan the area with binoculars and locate it before you head down. The route through the tuckamore and trees is difficult. Allow yourself a few hours extra because the scramble back up takes more time than you may think!

The Crash Hill hike from Black Duck Siding is about nine miles return. It can be done in one day. Even in the summertime it's a good idea to wear a windproof jacket. If you wear shorts, a pair of long pants or at least gaiters, is necessary to make the struggle through the tuckamore more bearable. Tuckamore can do horrible things to bare flesh!