Exploring the Eramosa Karst

I have to say that the most recent visit to Eramosa Karst Conservation Area in Stoney Creek was unplanned, but I found it an interesting place.  I knew next to nothing about karsts before coming here.

I guess before I go on about some of the karst features like caves, sinking streams and dry valleys, I might as well tell you that I did not enter any one of them.  

inviting bridge

I was surprised that all of the caves were in the ground.  When I saw the map at the entrance to the conservation site, it indicated 'caves' and so I expected to be able to stand up into them, not crawl or climb down to them.  The karsts were very shallow and seemed tiny from up top, so I was surprised to learned that Eramosa has the 10th longest cave in Ontario, which is something like 335 metres! 

So what is a karst? Think of a soluble bedrock that acts like a sponge absorbing the rain (rain that contains carbonic acid, which gets picked up from the carbon dioxide in the ground...come on you remember how the rain cycle works right?) and over thousands of years, the bedrock starts becoming porous as it dissolves creating crevices, creeks, and caves.  Of course eventually when the ground above gets wet from heavy rains, it will start flowing and sometimes flooding into these cracks and crevices which will add to the development of sinking streams and at the same time abandon existing creeks elsewhere creating dry valleys then.  It's really quite fascinating, but like biology, geology is not my thing either.

Potruff Spring

This place tries it's best to offer the learning experience from the karst and some really lovely trails making it a great hike even if you aren't that keen about exploring underground.  About a half hour into my trek and I see a posting on 'Coyotes in our Conservation Area'  then suddenly hiding in an underground cave didn't seem like such a bad idea.

Seriously, recent reports in the news have been to make the public aware of sighting of coyotes in the Ermosa Karst, and to keep your pets close to you as the coyotes might find them a threat to their territory.  

part of nexus cave

They were spotted on the yellow trail, a trail to which I was currently on...as the trail winded around trees and cut through paths I was very aware after that.  Suddenly a guy shows up with his husky...but I don't see the guy first, just his dog and for a second its me and him and I think my skin was there too...the guy thought it was funny.  Wildlife is and should be safe from people and their pets, so I just as soon keep my distance. 


 

wildlife comes in all shapes and sizes

Further on the yellow trail I saw a sign tacked to a tree or a post, which advertised purchasing a "Nature Rewards" card giving you access to many of Hamilton's popular sites at a low annual fee.  The money would go to support the maintenance of the conservation areas in Hamilton.  I thought it was a good concept and did some research on my own.  I took some initiative on this project for Toronto and look forward to speaking with them further about the possibility of implementing the same program for a city of a larger scale, and really quite surprised it hasn't been done already.  Will keep you posted if anything comes of it.






















Happy to see the sky was clearing up nicely by the time I left the park.

Tiffany Falls - Hamilton

 The Tiffany Falls, is really a very pretty waterfall.  Its classified as a ribbon waterfall and is 21 metres high.  It's a shame that I didn't catch this beauty right after a rainfall, but instead right in the middle of a heat wave in Ontario.  Tiffany is located in the Tiffany Falls Conservation Area, which is just off Wilson Avenue as you descend the escarpment.  There is a small parking lot off to the side and you see a large sign identifying it as you enter.  


Tiffany Falls is made

up of two waterfalls, the Upper and Lower Falls.  The Lower Falls, cascades 19 metres from a valley above the escarpment and the Upper Falls, is about 6 metres located above.  There are dolostone cliffs on either side, and as you can guess if you are feeling at all adventurous, you will have to climb the rock wall above the Lower Tiffany as seen here, to reach Washboard Falls (Upper Tiffany).  


Most of the waterfalls have typical Bruce trail terrain, with rocks to step over and steep ascents and descents, so even if the flow isn't there, you won't be disappointed with the beauty that's all around you anyways.  Hey with a trail that is 840 km long, you are bound to see a thing or two. 
 
Historically speaking, Tiffany Falls was named after Dr. Oliver tiffany who was the areas first doctor.  he studied in Massachusetts and came to live in Ancaster in 1796.  you will find this waterfall very accessible as it has a pull off area off of Wilson Avenue in Hamilton.  The route is direct to get to and is nearby Sherman Falls as well (Old Lions club Road).