Featured Hike: Spencer Gorge Conservation Area

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!...I hope that you all have had amazing and wonderful naps after equally wonderful and amazing turkey dinners. I know I took full advantage of my couch for the evening afterwards. I woke up the next morning still on it! ;)

Much has happened over the last two weeks. A huge upheaval in my life began nearly a month ago, when I decided to make a significant change in my life, however this was also a significant step in the furthering of my own development, as well as the development of my photography career.
However, with changes that are "earth-shattering", do bring forth the much needed "withdrawing" for a bit, and so I did. Thank you for your patience in my lack of posting on this site, however I was quite occupied with my own mind sets these past four weeks.

Moving on from that..my friend Ron and I set out a couple of weeks ago, for a Bruce Trail hike, that would take us 17km into the Spencer Gorge Conservation Area in Dundas.

Spencer Gorge offers beautiful panoramic views over the deep Niagara Escarpment gorges that wind their way to two different waterfalls, Webster and Tews.
The trail follows these gorges, passing by rock formations, with rest stops below to allow one to stop and admire the beauty of the Dundas section of the high escarpment cliffs. Small boardwalks, common to the trail also allow travellers to pass by streams flowing softly down the limestone walls and into the gorge below.
Webster Falls Park, accessible by a steep set of iron stairs, provides for excellent views of the crest of the falls, and a lovely picnic area, with cobblestone bridges crossing the cool waters of Spencer Creek. Blue Plastic-tube restrooms are also available for use. :)
By following the trail, one will find a small grave plot, surrounded by a small black iron fence, holding the graves of the founding family Webster. On one of the gravestones was a very interesting-to-read epitaph. (See photo at the end)

Tews Falls is only a short walk along the Bruce Trail from here, and the two observation platforms overlooking the gorge, provide excellent views of the tall waterfall.
I shall like to explore the gorge a bit further and find the pathway down to the base of the falls.

Ron and I continued on, past these two beauties, until we reached Dundas Peak, and decided to turn around. I needed to get back home for the evening due to other deadlines, so we decided it best to head back along the trail to our car, which was parked in a quiet suburb of Dundas. We stopped of course, for a lovely view at Dundas Peak over the city below. We could see for miles along the Niagara Peninsula, across Stoney Creek, Hamilton, and Burlington and out to Lake Ontario. What an grand and excellent view! Crossing across a pedestrian walkway/bridge along the highway climing Dundas Peak.

A worthwhile hike (despite some busy roadway hiking), it was unfortunate that we could not continue any further on this day, however this gave us a taste of hiking in Dundas..and we say it is YUMMY! We will definitely be returning to this section of the Bruce Trail.

As we started out at 7am, we definitely do not recommend trying to park at either Tews or Webster Falls park, as the gates are closed and seem to not be open until well past 9 or 10am. Not a terribly amazing advantage for starting out early on this section of the trail. We best recommend, parking along Bond St. South..

Directions from 403 West to Hamilton
-Exit to King St. W and follow this to Main St. W
-Right on Main St. W and follow this to Cootes Dr (McMaster University on the Right)
-Right on Cootes Dr. and this will eventually turn into King St. E
-follow this road straight, as it will turn again into King St. W
-follow King St. W until you see Bond St. S on your left--turn left...park along the shoulder here to the right side of the street (football field is on your right)

And enjoy your hike! :) and the photos of course from ours...

~Tom