For those who haven’t visited IAT before, I simply love waterfalls. I love the physical challenge of getting to the base or the crest or anywhere around the waterfall where no one else goes. Getting underneath and behind a waterfall is a definite bonus. As a hack photographer, waterfalls provide so many opportunities, no matter the season or weather conditions.
The following is a collection of images taken of waterfalls located along the Niagara Escarpment. Most, with exception of the main Niagara Falls, are taken of waterfalls north of the Greater Toronto Area. There are many in the Niagara Peninsula / Hamilton region but I haven’t made it down to check those out yet.
Cannings Falls is located on the Nottawasaga River, somewhere north of Orangeville and somewhere upstream of Hockley Valley Provincial Park. Visiting this little hidden gem is a topic of heated debate amongst locals. The waterfall is currently located on private land. Out of respect, I won’t reveal the directions on how to get to Cannings Falls (e-mail me…).
This tiny waterfall has no name. It’s located on a section of the Bruce Trail, south of Meaford, Ontario. Water shoots out the rocky cliff of the escarpment and no visible source can be found upstream. However, just to right and outside of the image, is what looks to be a seasonal waterfall that’s a lot bigger and goes all the way from the top.
Church’s (Churches) Falls is located along the Credit River inside the Forks of the Credit Provincial Park. Visible to the right of the waterfall is an old hydro-electric station. You can walk entirely behind this waterfall. The dark area to the right, halfway up, leads to a small cave that used to house piping from the building above. For a video and pictures from behind the waterfall, check this out.
It wouldn’t be the niagara escarpment without Niagara Falls. You really need to get upfront and personal with the Horseshoe Falls in order to really feel the power and volume. Push through the crowds and get right on the rail at the crest. Also, to get even closer, head across the border into Niagara Falls, New York and visit Goat Island State Park. The crowds are no where near what they are on the Canadian side and you can basically put your hands in the water where it plunges over the edge.
The American Falls might not be as big as Horseshoe Falls, but the water crashing on the broken rocks below and the knowledge that there is zero chance of survival if one was swept over is pretty overwhelming.
The rock in the middle is dubbed ‘Tooth of Time’. I believe the waterfall carries the same name. This actually isn’t part of the Niagara Escarpment but is very similar in style and really not that far away. The location is Elora, Ontario. The water source is the Grand River. Just downstream from this location is the Elora Gorge Conservation Area where some great tubing down the canyon can be done.
One of my favourites is Hoggs Falls. This plunge is located on the Boyne River, just outside of Flesherton, Ontario. Despite the fact that it’s very close to a major highway and free to visit, there are rarely other visitors. For most of the summer months, the waterflow is low enough that one can carefully cross the crest and sit on the edge.
Indian Falls is another impressive yet overlooked gem. Located just north of Owen Sound, the parking is free and the hike to the waterfall is quite short. This is another waterfall that can be walked behind.
Jones Falls is located just outside of Owen Sound. It takes a bit of effort to get down to the base but is worth it. The water source is the Pottawatomi River, which seasonally disappears into the ground not far downstream from the base of the waterfall.
Eugenia Falls is a beauty that has been pretty much destroyed by man. The water upstream is dammed into Lake Eugenia and for most of the summer months there is very little flow going over the waterfall.
Getting to the base is a challenge. Downstream from the waterfall, the escarpment forms a steep canyon. You must hike a distance downstream before the grade allows you to get down to water level. The hike back upstream is nothing short of treacherous if there is any water on the rocks.
One more picture of Hoggs Falls. Local photographers love this spot because the dense forest surrounding the waterfall allows for long exposure, water-blurring photography for most of the day. The lack of direct sunlight encourages the mosses and ferns to grow and provide a sea of green.
