Sauble Falls Provincial Park

Growing up, I loved Sauble beach. I mean, what’s not to love about clean warm water, a fun boardwalk filled with arcades, ice cream and tacky vendors and at seven miles long, the second longest freshwater beach in the world!
When the suggestion was made to try camping at Sauble Falls Provincial Park, I was anxious to find out how the area had changed. I was not disappointed.

Sauble Falls Provincial Park is located just north of the town of Sauble Beach and is a relatively small park, featuring just 152 campsites and only 53 of these with hydro hookups. The park is divided into 2 campgrounds, separated by county road 13.

Although the immature forest of the area does not lend itself to providing privacy, the best sites in the park in terms of size and location are: 31, 33, 35, 37, 39 and 40 in the West Campground and 102, 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112 in the East Campground. All of these sites back onto the Sauble River as well. Avoid sites 46 and 43 as they are very close to an access road.

The main feature of the park is Sauble Falls itself, a multi-tiered waterfall that provides a great spot for wading and photography. For the more adventurous, there are spots where people can be found jumping from the ledges into the cascading water below. Canoe and kayak rentals are available.

Just a short drive from both Sauble and North Sauble beach and their legendary shoreline and sunsets, Sauble Falls is a worthwhile destination and a great jump off point for further exploration of the Bruce Peninsula.

Happy New Year, and thank you all for your interest and comments regarding this site. I look forward to sharing more in 2010!!

Cam

Sydenham Falls - Dundas, Ontario

“There’s a waterfall where??”
That was my immediate reaction when my brother called me and asked how I felt about an early morning fall hike into Sydenham Falls. Having lived in this area for over 20 years, I thought I knew the trails and waterfalls in the area pretty good. Even more incredible, this waterfall was only 5 minutes away.

A quick check on the website http://www.cityofwaterfalls.ca/ revealed that this specific area featured not only one, but three waterfalls!
So with sons in tow and accompanied by a very excited Rosie the wonder dog, we headed out to explore.

I had seen the trail heading into the woods at the bottom of the Sydenham Hill in Dundas, Ontario for years, not ever realizing the beauty and amazing rock formations that would appear just steps beyond the entrance of this trail.

The first waterfall that you come to is called Lower Sydenham Falls and it is approximately 13 feet high and is located below the railway bridge that crosses Sydenham Creek.

As you continue up the trail about 100 metres, heading steadily uphill into the escarpment, you will find a side trail on your right with a very steep downhill grade. This somewhat treacherous descent will take you to the bottom of Middle Sydenham Falls. The climb is worth it as this washboard curtain falls which is about 20 feet high is spectacular!

Heading back up the main trail, you arrive at Upper Sydenham Falls, which at approximately 45 feet tall is the largest of the three. It is a beautiful ribbon type falls and is a great spot to take photos.

Heading back out with kids now looking for some lunch and Rosie yearning to have an afternoon nap in front of the fireplace, we all agreed that a return hike in the summer, with the trees in full bloom is a “must do!”

Webster's Falls - Dundas, Ontario

With the temperature hovering right around the freezing mark, and the sun shining, it felt like a hike out to Webster’s Falls was in order. Of the hundred or so waterfalls in the Hamilton area, Webster’s Falls is likely the best known and with a large park area around it is an ideal spot for a days picnic.

In the summer I like to hike into the falls from the lower trail, starting at the rail bridge where it meets King Street in Dundas and approaching the falls from the bottom. This is a spectacular hiking trail in the summer but can be slippery and difficult to hike in the winter.

Webster’s Falls is located in Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area, and is part of the Niagara Escarpment, declared by the United Nations (UNESCO) as a World Biosphere Reserve. This unique geological formation contains two of Hamilton’s best waterfalls, one of its best lookouts, and hundreds of species of wildlife living in this Carolinian forest.

Webster’s Falls is 22 metres (75 feet) high and is one of two waterfalls in the immediate area, with the other, Tew’s Falls, a short hike away. It is created where the main branch of Spencer Creek empties into the gorge. From the top of the falls, there is a series of stairs that you can take to get down to the base. There are a number of good vantage points for photography.

The area also features a beautiful cobblestone bridge which was built in 1936 and restored in 2000. As the Bruce trail meanders through this area, there is an abundance of main and side trails offering spectacular views of the valley below.

This is a beautiful area and worth a visit regardless of the season.
To get to Webster's Falls, take Highway 8 from Dundas going up to Greensville. Keep right on Brock Road and turn right onto Harvest Road. Turn right on Short Road, then left onto Fallsview Road. The parking lot will be on your right.