Hike Report Iroquoia 5A

Section: Iroquoia 5A, A Fun Hike, Webster Falls to Rasberry House,

for distance of 13.5 km. Trail Guide 26^th edition

Hike Leader: John N

Hikers: John N, Karen N, Bill, Mary, Carol, Karen B, and Rudi

This ‘fun hike’ was devised by leader John N. to explore the renowned Spencer Gorge/Webster Falls Conservation Area along with the Borer’s Falls CA and the area’s provincially significant natural features.

Meeting at the Colborne Centre at 8:00 am on a beautiful sunny but crisp morning, the Hike proceeded to Rasberry House to drop one car and then travelled to Spencer Gorge Wilderness Area to start the hike at Webster Falls. Picking up the Glen Ferguson Side Trail the Hike proceeded to Webster Falls, a curtain water fall, on Spencer Creek, and the largest in the Hamilton region with a crest of 30 meters. From here the Hike retraced its steps and headed to Tews Falls on Logie’s Creek. Tews Falls is a ribbon style falls and is the tallest waterfall found in this area, among 96 others, with a crest of 41 meters and 219 meters (719 ft.) above sea level. From here the Hike continued along Glen Ferguson Side Trail, past the Dundas Lookout Side Trail and down the Escarpment to cross Sydenham Rd and onto the Main Trail turning left to follow the sidewalk of Cameron Dyment Bridge over the railway. From here the Trail turns right, off the road, through a wooded area and then re-joins Sydenham Rd and turns right into a small subdivision to enter the Royal Botanical Gardens Rock Chapel Nature Sanctuary. From here the Main Trail follows the Escarpment edge towards Rock Chapel Rd across Borer’s Creek, and past Borer’s Falls. Borer’s Falls is a small ribbon style waterfall some 15 meters in height. From here the Trail runs along the Escarpment edge to reach a viewpoint of Cootes Paradise and the city of Hamilton. Here we find two Turkey Vultures resting and sunning at the top of a tree just off the edge of the Escarpment and a photo opportunity. The Hike then continued down a wooden stairway to enter the Hamilton Conservation Area where we pick up the Ray Lowes Side Trail which provides the link to the RBG’s North Shore Trails and Rasberry House (the headquarters of the BTC).  Following the recovery of cars, the group headed to Tim’s for drinks and marvelled at the spectacular area vistas and amazing waterfalls.