Exploring in Louth!

Today I headed over to Louth to explore two waterfalls, 17th Street Falls and Louth Falls.

Both are located in Louth, a county situated just north-west of the city of St.Catharines. To access both of these waterfalls, from St.Catharines, travel along St.Paul Street West until it becomes King Road. Follow this until you reach 17th Street..watch as it comes up quick!Turn left, and follow around an S curve in the road, and just below the next hill, the shoulder widens on both sides of the road, you can park here. You will notice the Bruce Trail white blazes on the trees and hydro poles as the trail follows 17th Street up the hill. If you trailblaze down the slippery steep escarpment to your right, and follow the creek upstream for about 100-metres, you will reach 17th Street Falls. The hike to this falls can be treacherous, so please be mindful of your footing in this ravine. It's not too deep or steep, however the water is chilly, and the loose rocks and wet leaves dont make a very safe combination at times. Wear sturdy shoes or boots for this hike.

17th Street Falls is also called "Middle 18 Mile Creek Falls".

You can view my gallery dedicated to this fall by Clicking here.

You can also view more information on this falls at the Waterfalls of Ontario website.

'Here are the photos from today's visit:

After a refreshing hour climbing through the ravine and marvelling over the beauty of 17th Street Falls, I made my way back to my car and drove on to Louth Falls.

Louth Falls Conservation Area can be accessed by, continuing along 17th Steet, up the hill..watch for Staff Avenue, which will be your first left. After turning left onto Staff Avenue, continue around the bend. You will see a small parking lot on your left, with stones marking the entrance-way.

Follow the Bruce Trail, but follow it to the right as you approach the escarpment. It will lead you down a hill, and to Louth Falls. The trail is lovely in the conservation area, and leads one past rich green moss covered limestone boulders. One can see the lovely colours of reds, browns, and deep rich yellow leaves blanket the forest floor, as most of the trees have shed their leaves.

To view my Gallery dedicated to Louth Falls, Click here.

For more information on the Falls, you can go to the Waterfalls of Ontario site. Alternate directions are also available.

Here are photos from the top of the Falls as well as the upper river:

I was exploring a bit along the crest of the falls as I had in drier months. This was my second visit to the falls when the falls was actually flowing. I have been here many a time when it was not. It was still early in the day, and the sun hadn't yet reached mid-point in the sky as of yet. The morning light through the trees cast neat shadows on the forest floor surrounding the river.

I got some good views of the falls, when I decided to start heading back to the car.

A man and his dog were walking along the trail towards me. I stopped to chit-chat with the gentleman and had asked if there was an access point to get to the bottom of the falls. He confirmed that there was and decided to show me how to access it.

The man was very accomodating and was a welcome guest for my afternoon hike. I had a hiking partner!

He was an older gentleman in his 50s, and I found after chatting with him that he had a great story to tell!

His name is Tarmo Heyduck. He was born in Sweden, and had come to Canada in 1951. He was a teacher of English and History for quite a number of years at Governor Simcoe Secondary School, and has published a book, entirely in Estonian, and is a compilation of his writings and research on the biographies of the elite and prestige of frat at the University in Estonia. His book also covers the history of the Estonian society, and reaches far back into time to the Baltic Revolution. The intriguing thing about the book is that it is written entirely in Estonian.

Bravo to Tarmo!

Tarmo and his dog T.KO were wonderful company for my afternoon at Louth Falls Conservation Area. Tarmo's successes were and still are an inspiration for my own self. Tarmo didn't continue on to the falls with me, and had decided to scale the high escarpment embankments. This gorge was also trail-free, and we had to trail-blaze our way through it. I had watched Tarmo as he exited the ravine, just to ensure that he safely arrived to to top. He did and we waved our goodbyes. I shall look forward to corresponding with Tarmo Heyduck.

I continued on along the rugged embankment to the Niagara Escarpment. Fallen trees were a definite obstacle..along with the wet rocks and slippery clay..it really was a treacherous hike to the bottom of Louth Falls..but so very worth it. Here are the photos from Louth Falls:

After an hour propped up against a wet moss-covered rock, with my foot in the water swirling around me and mist from the falls soaking my jacket, I decided to head back. In order to gain access to the top of the canyon, I would have had to walk all the way back to where Tarmo and I came in, or attempt to scale the 70 degree angle embankment above me. I did as such, without too much trouble. My monopod served its purpose well with the photos, as well as a walking stick. Nothing better than a sturdy and strong walking stick when climbing the Niagara Escarpment.

I ended up following underneath the cliff ledge as it outcropped over the embankment below me. Glacial flows from the ice-age days left behind the hollowed out ledges which made for a perfect forground for a photo, as well as a path to exit the ravine.

Louth Conservation Area..one very fun place and certainly a gem of the area. Again, be careful of your footing when hiking in this ravine, as there isn't a defined trail, which means you have to make your own trail. Bring a good strong set of shoes or boots, know your footing, and bring along a walking stick to assist you.

And so after an exhausting and exhiliarating hike, I made my way succesfully to the top of the Louth Falls ravine and cheered my accomplishment of another completed waterfalls!

~Tom