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!