We Found the Hidden Waterfalls

I was determined to find those 'Hidden Waterfalls' if I could.  So I consulted with my son-in-law about exactly where they were.  If you notice the Google Maps image yesterday, they are supposed to be very close to a road.  So on one of our last days out west, my grandson and I went off to find them again.  Was I surprised by what I found!

Warning, a picture heavy post again, and a few slightly blurry shots as these are all handheld on a dark grey afternoon deep in the forest, at a slow speed.

We stopped at a pull-off on the road, and looked for a trail.  We found this one immediately and went in about 100'.  Can you recognize it as the opposite side of the stream we reached on the previous hike?   Beautiful, but no waterfalls, and thick impassible forest on both sides of the stream.

So went back out to the road and looked for another trail lower down.  There it was, and within 50' we found this tiny 'waterfall' pouring out of a culvert under the road.  I could hear a lot more roaring water downstream though, so we headed on.

I was trying to snap quick pictures while keeping an eye on my adventurous 7-year-old, who wasn't in the least afraid of the steep wet slopes on both sides of the trail.  Turns out there were two streams, and we were on a narrow peninsula between them.  This photo is as far as we got, a view downstream at the point they join together from left and right.

We headed back up a little more slowly, and I realized that it was dark enough in the late afternoon light that I could get some 'slow' pictures.  This was the biggest single drop on the northern stream, just a small rocky ledge.

But this was what the rest of the stream looked like - tumbling down over the rocks fast.  I would estimate it dropped 100 feet in 200 yards!  A foaming rapid most of the way.

The site is totally 'undeveloped'.  Though there's a narrow worn trail, there are no signs, no protective railings, no warnings, and very steep rocky banks down to the water.  It was impossible to get clear views without branches in the way, because the place is simply too wild - the way I like it.

This is the second stream, on the south side, also a tumbling rapids for about 200 yards, and dropping even further, perhaps 125 feet.

This is the single biggest drop on that side, perhaps 6 feet.

Personally, I like the ripples over the rocks as the stream pours downslope as much as the actual small waterfalls.  And the water is roaring all around you.

I think this was my favourite picture.  But given that these were all handheld, mostly for 1/4 second exposures, and all slightly blurry, I am definitely going back here with a tripod, and lots of time to myself!  These two tumbling streams are definitely one of my favourite all-time waterfalls.  The fact that we had to hunt to find them just made it all the more adventurous!  It ended up a great grandfather/grandson explore!

I was initially thinking that it's a shame there isn't a sign.  But upon reflecting, and feeling somewhat selfish, (and keeping in mind safety), I'm glad there are no signs, and hope there aren't any in the future.  Perhaps the place will retain a little mystery and wildness.  Given how visitors behave at waterfalls along the Bruce Trail here in Ontario, this place would be an unsafe disaster if it was heavily visited!