A Frozen Inglis Falls

As I promised, I did get back to Inglis Falls, and this time got some great pictures of the falls, totally frozen!  The water disappears under the ice above the falls, and pops out at the base where the river begins.  Only once before have I seen the falls so totally frozen.

My first glimpse of the falls is through the Cedars on the edge of the cliff.  I was actually astonished to see it this completely white, but the temperature had been in the -20°C range for two weeks.

Stepping beyond the trees, you get a complete view of the falls, with a remnant of one of the old mill buildings at the top.  Compare this one to the very last one below if you want to see the seasonal contrast!

I love the ice formations that you can see when you zoom in, especially when I think about climbing over the rocks now buried beneath that ice, during the summer.

Looking downstream and out over the valley toward Owen Sound, you can see where the water breaks through and the river starts tumbling down toward the bay.

It would be treacherous to go exploring along the river now, as you'd never know when you'd break through into the river below you.

Little back windows into the roaring stream that's mostly out of sight.

I always stop and take a quick look upstream too, where the Sydenham River falls over the old mill dam, and in about 50 yards hits the falls.

Today it's disappearing under the ice before it ever gets to the lip of the falls.  Obviously the current is strongest along the right hand side.

Interesting chunks of ice being pushed against the rocks by the current.  Look at the very upper edge of this photo, and compare it to below....

.... a tiny pocket of slender icicles hanging and dripping over the water.

And just in case you're wondering, a summer shot from two or three years back, for comparison.  All photos (except this one), taken with my little point-and-shoot.