I was thrilled to finally get a shot of 'High Falls' in Bracebridge on the way back from a recent trip from Algonquin Park.
High Falls is located in a Water Park which has 4 other waterfalls all coming together here. They're all located on Clear River and fed by Lake Muskoka.
There are also many old growth forest trails that connect to the Trans Canada Trail system.
If you're planning a day of it, you can rent paddle boats, row boats, and kayaks here to get up close to the falls without any dippy surprises anywhere so it's safe for everyone. Speaking of dippy surprises, High Falls is also known as the "Niagara of the North". I don't know if I would go that far, but it's a pretty impressive water flow over the falls at 9 cubic metres a second with a 15 metres drop down the cliff.
Almost 150 years ago the local farmers used to come here after a long days work to this spot to swim, relax and fish because of the awesome abundance of pickerel in the water.
If you are like me and like the look of a 'natural' looking waterfall, you might be a little disappointed to see a metal bridge up top which is the generating station, that runs automatically into the town's centre.
However this is a necessary part of civilization, and it doesn't really interfere too much to the beauty of High Falls.
If you ever do spend more time here to enjoy the surrounding trails, you might want to climb down along the side of the falls to see a beautiful little creek, called Potts Creek. (named after a family who once lived at the falls). It has a 15 metre drop with an upper and lower falls. As for me that will be another time! By the way, Wilson's Falls looks like a beauty which is also within proximity here.
I couldn't wait to get to Algonquin Park, but I wanted to fill my thrill for waterfallin' so we drove into the Ragged Falls Oxtongue River Provincial Park. (Incidentally there is a fee to park there).
Before starting the trail, a couple was on their way out and they had told us that you couldn't get a really good shot of the falls except from up top. That was a challenge in itself for me so I was determined to try and get as close as I could to take a picture.
It is true that there is a well groomed trail that leads to a nice overlook of Ragged Falls, which is about 1 km so it doesn't take very long to get through.
I didn't want to view the falls from up top though, so I opted to climb down the side of the trail to the base where you'll encounter a mass of large and small rocks to overcome to get to the ideal vantage point for pictures at the base of the falls.
It took a bit of manoevering over the rubble and since I am a little clumsy I usually take my time. It reminded me so much of Chedoke Falls in Hamilton, although here it only took me about 5 minutes instead of 30 to get to the bottom.
Ragged Falls is pretty steep and has a nice flowing 'S' shaped cascade. The waterflow comes from Oxtongue River (which flows out of Algonquin Provincial Park) and eventually into the Lake of Bays, which is one of the sources of the Muskoka river from the south. Ultimately Muskoka River flows to Lake Huron by way of the Moon River.
There are some nearby waterfalls like the Gravel Chute (upstream) and Marsh's Falls (downstream).
Some of the bigger waterfalls on the eastern side of Algonquin Park, which I've been to already are Bracebridge Falls (see my blog) and the Muskoka High Falls (which I'll post soon!).
All in all worth a peek!
I was thrilled to finally get a shot of 'High Falls' in Bracebridge on the way back from a recent trip from Algonquin Park. 
If you're planning a day of it, you can rent paddle boats, row boats, and kayaks here to get up close to the falls without any dippy surprises anywhere so it's safe for everyone. Speaking of dippy surprises, High Falls is also known as the "Niagara of the North". I don't know if I would go that far, but it's a pretty impressive water flow over the falls at 9 cubic metres a second with a 15 metres drop down the cliff. 
