Tiffany Falls Late Winter - Hamilton Ontario

During the winter there is so much to do outside. Going for a winter hike or checking out a favourite outdoor spot could be just the thing to stay active.

Tiffany Falls in Hamilton Ontario is one of those spots. A fantastic place to visit in all season, even late winter. Last year in the Fall, Margaret and I hiked to Tiffany Falls Conservation Area and experienced the beautiful area first hand. You can check out my blog post from the Fall here.

Entrance to Tiffany Falls Conservation Area Trail

Great Signage for the Side Trail

Well maintained bridges help get to the Falls

I was curious what it would look like during the late winter. The particular weekend we hiked to the falls we were surprised to see ice climbers practicing rappelling and climbing the ice that surrounded the cascade. 

A little bit of green from the white pine

Melt water

Bridge #1

The Canyon

Wide angle photo of the Niagara Escarpment

Looking up to the edge of the Escarpment

Margaret getting cold on the trail

Some colour left over from last year

Mission Accomplished - reached the Falls

Ice Climber

Tiffany Falls

Ice climber getting climbing gear ready

Ice climbers at the bottom of Tiffany Falls

Tiffany Falls

   
There are so many activities outside that can be done in the Hamilton Area. From the  Dundas Valley Conservation Area close by,  to the Bruce Trail, and many more waterfalls to explore in the local area.

Check out some of the links below for more great information and photos of the Falls.

Suburban Tourist

Dundas Valley Conservation Area 
Waterfalls of Ontario
Hamilton Conservation Authority
Bruce Trail

Tourism Hamilton


Coordinates:  43° 14’ 22” N     79° 57’ 31” W         
                      UTM  17N 584553.13 E     4787932.69 N

Inglis Falls - Owen Sound Ontario

Inglis Falls is located just south of Owen Sound, Ontario on the Sydenham River. The Falls are part of the Inglis Falls Conservation Area. The height of the falls is 18 metres.  The waterfall is named after a Scottish immigrant, Peter Inglis who settled in the area around 1845.

  

Sydenham River just above Inglis Falls

Sydenham River

Great signage along the trails

Remains of the Grist Mill

Remnants of a nineteenth-century gristmill are reminders of the power in this falling water, used by Inglis.  Some of the original mill wheels that were used for grinding are on site.

Margaret taking great shots

 

The area was well marked and the view through the canyon towards Owen Sound is fantastic. Margaret and I explored the trail down towards the bottom of the falls. 

Canada Geese flying over the Falls

Heading South

Inglis Falls from Lookout

Inglis Falls with just a bit of water

Stairs down to trails

Trail down to Falls bottom

Trail can be very rocky

The Bruce Trail swings by through the area heading north to Tobermory. There are many great spots to stop for photographs.

Along the Bruce Trail

Anyone heading to Owen Sound should make a stop and explore this beautiful natural area.

Coordinates :   UTM  17N  505224  4930346

Conservation Halton Parks - Halton Region Ontario

Since I was the age of 13, I have hiked and enjoyed Conservation Halton parks.  They offer many outdoor activities such as, boating, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking and so much more. The best part is they are located just a short distance from major population centers.

Conservation Halton owns and operates six conservation areas, including Crawford Lake, Mountsberg, Rattlesnake Point, Hilton Falls, Kelso and Mount Nemo.

Mount Nemo from Rattlesnake Point

Crawford Lake Conservation Area – 468 hectare park that has a meromictic lake and a 15^th century reconstructed Iroquoian village. My favourite hiking trail is the Woodland and Nassagaweya Trail.

Reconstructed Iroquoian Village

Crawford Lake 

Mountsberg Conservation and Wildlife Center – 472 hectare park with over 16 kilometers of nature trails, a 202 hectare water control reservoir and home to the Mountsberg Raptor Centre. My favourite hiking trail is the Lakeshore Lookout Trail and visiting the various birds of prey at the Raptor Centre.

Mountsberg Reservoir

Owl at the Mountsberg Raptor Centre

Kelso Conservation Area – 980 acre park that includes a dam and reservoir that offers swimming and boating. It has over 16 kilometres of hiking and biking trails. My favourite hiking trail is the Escarpment Trail.

Kelso Conservation Area Lookout

Kelso Escarpment Trail

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area – 727 acre park that showcases the Niagara Escarpment sheer cliffs, crevices, caves to name a few.  My favourite hiking trails are the Vista Adventure Trail and the Buffalo Crag Trail. 

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area

Hilton Falls Conservation Area – 1592 acre park that has 33.5 kilometers of incredible hiking and biking trails. A trip to Hilton Falls is very worthwhile. My favourite hiking trails are the Red Oak Trail and Beaver Dam Trails.

Hilton Falls

Limestone outcrop at Hilton Falls

Mount Nemo Conservation Area – is a great location to explore the edge of the Niagara Escarpment for lookouts and the natural limestone ecosystems. My favourite hiking trail is North Loop Trail. Don’t forget to visit Brock Harris Lookout.

Brock Harris Lookout - Mount Nemo

Margaret beside Crawford Lake

The next time you are trying to decide where to go for outdoor activities, visit one of these great locations.

Some great resources check out:

www.escarpmentfund.ca

www.escarpment.org

www.brucetrail.org

Cootes Paradise - Hamilton Ontario

Cootes Paradise is a 600 hectare wildlife sanctuary with a 320 hectare river mouth wetland. The lands are owned and managed by the Royal Botanical Gardens.  The wetlands are a catchment area for three main waterways: Borer’s Creek, Chedoke Creek and Spencer Creek. It is connected to Hamilton Harbour via the Desjardins Canal.

Cootes Paradise Signage

Due to the location and topography of where Cootes is situated, it plays an important role for migratory waterfowl.

Margaret walking on the trails



Monarch Butterfly on goldenrod



Close up



Beautiful willows along the waters edge



High Level Bridge - overlooking Cootes Paradise



Purple Aster



Purple Aster closeup



Looking West out over Cootes Paradise



Kayaking at Cootes Paradise

Cootes has a multitude of hiking trails on the east and west side of the wetlands. Many people enjoy canoeing and kayaking along the shoreline. Margaret and I enjoyed walking along Sassafras Trail toward Sassafras Point. I will be returning again to explore more of this beautiful and interesting area.

Location Coordinates:  43° 16′ 37.06″ N, 79° 54′ 10.98″ W    UTM  17N  589008  4792156

Paddling



Sassafras Point - Cootes Paradise