Westcliffe Falls - Hamilton

I have been down in Chedoke Valley (Radial Trail) a few times since last winter, but haven't seen Westcliffe Falls yet.  You can hear the water from up top (Scenic Drive/Paradise Rd) coming into the gorge, but you can’t actually see anything from up there.   


There wasn't much of a flow to her at this time of year, but it promises to never dry up!  Westcliffe is one of several waterfalls you’ll see if you take the Iroquoia trail off Chedoke Radial.    It’s a terraced, ribbon cascade that stands about 15 metres high and has a wide chest of about 3 metres.  

The easiest way to get to it, is to go down the steel stairway (about 300 steps) and walk up the dirt footpath located on the left embankment from Lower Westcliffe / Lower Cliffview.  You will see it up on your right side once you are over the top.  


I took the hard way down and instead of using the stairs, I dragged and skidded myself down the side of the embankment wall until I reached the bottom of the gorge.  After a few cuts, scrapes and bruises, using the staircase (which is what I was trying to avoid) seems like a better choice....and a safer one!

Although the terrain is very rugged and sparse, there are still some very scenic views down in the valley here.  One of which is the really neat tiered staircase that has been carved out by glaciers as well.  This area would be best viewed though in the spring/summer or perhaps early autumn. 

more notes:
See Lower Westcliffe (Cliffview Falls) / Lower West on this blog  -  is a 4 metre high and 3 metre wide classic cascade waterfall found just north of the Cliffview Falls.

 

Battlefield House Museum

The Battlefield Monument is a pretty ominous tower and pretty hard to miss when you're driving along the Centennial Parkway in Hamilton.  Located just east of the parkway off of King Street West, is the site of the Battlefield House Museum and Park.  

The monument was built just after the turn of the century to honour the British crown as well as to honor the soldiers in the Battle of Stoney Creek.  This was also to act as a reminder to all future generations of the impact of another important war.  The War of 1812.  It was a time where communities were active in improving themselves by building awareness through education (libraries) and history (museums).

Right now isn't the best time to go here as they are under restorations to the Gage House, but you are still able to view the grounds anytime to take pictures.  Free for now. 

The city's Tourism and Cultural division has finally finished the restoration of the Gage House (Battlefield Museum) and although many structural reconstructions will continue for another few years, the doors will open once again to the public on Tuesday November 27, 2012.  If not for anything else, I strongly believe in supporting historical places. Without preserving our history, we will have no foundation for a solid future.


Battlefield House Museum & Historic Park