Centennial Falls - Hamilton

Let's be honest, when you think of a 'waterfall' you usually have visions of crashing water cascading over a rocks or a silky ribbons of water over a quiet riverbed.  I figured after hurricane Sandy's stormy rainfalls, there would have been something leftover for Centennial Falls in Hamilton, but there really wasn't anything more than a trickle.  You'll traditionally see more of a flow here after the snow melt anyways, so coming here in the early spring is your best bet. I know you can't really tell by these pics, but the height is about 10 metres (33 feet) high.  I've seen pictures of this waterfall in full flow, and it can be more impressive than what you see here.

There is 'no authority or rules' to define or classify a waterfall, my guess would be that it is really up to us to decide which we personally would consider one.  Centennial has been described as a 'terraced ribbon cascade waterfall".  

If you carefully yield to park to the side of Centennial Parkway and walk down a relatively sloped hill, you'll see it pretty close to the parkway.  It's very messy in there, especially after the rain where its slippery.  There are large rocks in the area and tree twigs sticking out of the ground as well as overhead.  It looks to be ignored for the most part except for the garbage that gets tossed over from the overpass above.  

There's a tunnel below that leads under the parkway and I curiously (like most of us) found myself peeking through it to try and make out a large blob at the other end.  As I took a step into it, a wild dog runs through it to charge at me for entering his territory.  I got the hell out of there fast, but think I left my heart in my throat back there still..

Centennial is not without its charm though, and if you dare to enter it from this point (off Centennial) you will find the Bruce Trail up on top and Felkers Falls, a far more picturesque waterfall just to the west of it.

Didn't spend much time in the area due to time constraints (again) but took more than enough pictures of the area.  Just up the parkway from here, and you will find Billy Green falls, a far more pictorial 'waterfall' :)

I'm tired of looking at garbage around these falls, aren't you, haha? 

Heres how to get here

Websters Again!

A beautiful alternative to Niagara is Websters Falls in the Spencer Gorge at Greensville...
There are plenty of beautiful picture opportunities to take as well as relatively safe hiking trails as well.  

If you haven't already been here, it's a must see with flows all year long.  There's also plenty to do once you're here if from out of town.  There are several other falls and cascades nearby, including Tews Falls, Borers and Hermitage Cascade. Click on the link above for directions.  I was surprised to see very little water coming off of Tews (fed from the Spencer Creek) before the rains came this week.  If you're into hiking, there are plenty of Sanctuarys and Conservations Areas of course, such as Rock Chapel, Borers Falls CA, Dundas Valley CA, Christie Lake CA and what I like to call the 'Crooks'  

And of course if you are into Sightseeing on the ground level and up perspective, there is an Antique shop close by and the Hamilton Farmer's Market.  History lovers, will find the Hermitage Ruins interesting as well as the Dundurn Castle, which I have yet to see inside!!  Of course the Royal Botanical Gardens, but I prefer the hikes and historical places.  

You might see other earlier shots (winter) on this blog when I was here last year!   

Websters Falls

 Here is a lousy picture of Websters Falls, I've seen some really nice ones, but I forgot to clean my lens   Raindrops...keep...fallin..on ...my...lens! :)

Here we are a 22 metres of curtain waterfalls and its by far, well..the most spectacular of the Hamilton waterfalls..This is really a 'tourist' attraction.  It's easy access and well worth it, always a year round flow, though I've been told at times better than others.  There is of course the Spencer Gorge and an amazing hike in from the tracks.  I've got some pictures somewhere from the summer that I shall post soon enough of that particular day!

Spencer Gorge in Dundas

What a gorgeous view from up top of the Spencer Gorge in Dundas. Just an abundance of fall colors.  A recent trip to Websters/ Tews Falls in Dundas brought in amazing fall colors through my camera lens as you can see.  The rain again, fell in torrents as it had been lately but that just made the whole experience all the more enchanting.

I can't believe I haven't spoken/written enough about the Spencer Gorge in Greensville.  It truly is one of the most remarkable landmarks in Ontario.  

Parking lots are off Short Road, and Fallsview Road.  There's a $10 charge for parking and this in and of itself I don't mind if I am helping the Hamilton Conservation Authority, or paying for maintenance, but if we're paying to see something like Websters Falls for example, I don't want to have to risk myself to climb over or around a fence that is put up to prevent me from seeing that which I am paying to see in the first place.  



There were plenty of us that searched for alternate ways around the stairs.  There were no obstructions, or missing steps that would warrant a fence to be put up.  In fact what I saw were people risking their lives more to get to the falls with the fence being put up.  Hopefully a reconsideration will occur on this or lower the cost of entry.  

And now back to the Wow, honestly there isn't anything like this!  


For directions and some more info: CLICK HERE