December Hiking on the Bruce Trail – Waterdown and Great Falls.

I am continually amazed that the more I hike and explore this area, the more I realize that I have just scratched the surface.

Last Saturday I had the opportunity to hike the Bruce Trail as it winds through the Smokey Hollow Gorge in Waterdown, Ontario. This trail is, in a word, stunning and is definitely one I plan on returning to soon.
Parking at the small lot on Mill Street in Waterdown, a short trail takes you to a viewing platform that has been built right at the crest of Great Falls. The view is spectacular as you watch the water rush over the falls and into the Smokey Hollow Gorge. Great Falls, also known as Grindstone Falls, has a height of 10m (33 feet), and a crest width of 5m (16 feet). Visiting now, few clues remain to suggest that this stream was once so large and powerful that it supplied numerous mills with the power needed to operate heavy machinery. As late as 1890 Smokey Hollow was the site of two large mills, fourteen buildings, three houses and nine outbuildings. By 1912, however, the mills had all closed as the water level in Grindstone Creek had gone down and the steam engines that propelled the waterpower were acknowledged to be too dangerous. Today, thanks to a rehabilitation program implemented by Waterdown residents, the locality is a beautiful and well-kept park. As the Bruce Trail heads downstream of the falls, the views continue to impress with rocky outcroppings and ever changing photo opportunities as Grindstone Creek cascades through and over massive boulders. Watch your step on this trail as you experience many short ascents and descents, many with steps and tricky tree roots to navigate over. Easy to get to if hiking the Bruce Trail, the park can be found on the Waterdown section.
If travelling by car, drive along the 403 toward Toronto, exiting on Hwy 6 North. You will then turn right on Hwy 5 (Dundas Street East). Head east, then turn right on Mill Street. Keep driving until you come to Smokey Hollow Park on the right. Great Falls is close to the parking lot.
You never know who you will meet while hiking the beautiful trails of the area, and on this day I had the fortune of running into Santa who was resting up prior to his big night.Best wishes to you all for a very Merry Christmas!!!!