Sep 12, 2014

SHORTHILLS AND ESCARPMENT WEEKLY FALL PHOTO WALKS

Shorthills and the surrounding Niagara Escarpment are beautiful to photograph this time of the year!  In response to several member requests I am going to be running a twice-weekly photo meet-up and walk in the various scenic areas around Shorthills Provincial Park and the Niagara Escarpment during the Fall 2014 photography season.  We will be offering a wide range of tours this year, from easy to challenging, tailored to the group's wide range of abilities and fitness.   We will be shooting beautiful fall landscapes, waterfalls, and wildlife and, hopefully, lots of colour.  I guarantee that you will discover many interesting spots and subjects that you would never otherwise find on your own.
 
Come and join in on the fun!  Tentatively, rain-or-shine hikes will be held on each Tuesday evening commencing at not later than 6:00 pm sharp (until Oct 29th) as long as the light is good and it is not pouring rain, and each Saturday morning (until Nov 29th) commencing at 9:00 am sharp as long as it is not pouring rain.  Don't let cloudy or stormy weather be a deterrent.  Those are often the best days to shoot fall colours and waterfalls.  In case of really inclement weather on Saturdays, the hikes may be postponed until the next day (ie: the Sunday) at noon. 
Here is my tentative calendar of events (be sure to check back in the Blog as dates draw near, since weather conditions and last minute changes are inevitable):
 
Date         Time        Activity                           Rating           Meeting Spot
 
Sep 16      6:00pm     First fall colours              moderate      Mewburn Road Railway Bridge, Niagara Falls                                                                                                            (dead end at Laura Secord Trailhead)
Sep 20      9:00am     Woodend ponds             moderate      Woodend Conservation Area (outer entrance)
Sep 23      6:00pm     Big Bucks                       easy              Shorthills Park, Wiley Road entrance
Sep 27      9:00am     Hamilton Waterfall tour   strenuous     Tiffany Falls Parking lot, Wilson Street E, Ancaster
Sep 30      6:00pm     Big Bucks II                    easy              Shorthills Park, Wiley Road entrance
Oct 04       9:00am     Waterfalls/fall colours     strenuous      Shorthills Park, Eller Road entrance/
Oct 07       5:45pm     Raceway Falls                moderate      Shorthills Park, Wiley Road entrance
Oct 11       9:00am     More Secret waterfalls   strenuous      St. John's Outdoor Centre,  Holland Road
Oct 14       5:45pm     Secret stream                 moderate      Daboll farm, 1991 Hansler Street, Pelham 
Oct 18       9:00am     Canal colours                 moderate      Welland Canal access road and Holland Road,
                                                                                               north of Allanburg bridge 
Oct 21       5:30pm     Big Bucks III                   easy              Shorthills Park, Wiley Road entrance
Oct 25       9:00am     Grindstone Boardwalk    easy              Spring Gardens Road parking lot, Hamilton
Oct 28       5:30pm     Peninsula Lakes sunset easy              Peninsula Lakes Golf Course, Church Street access
Nov 01      9:00am     Final Fall Colours           strenuous      St. John's Outdoor Centre, Holland Road  
Nov 08      9:00am     Mount Nemo Backside   moderate      Bruce trail entrance,
                                                                                               Walkers Line and Side Road 2, Burlington 
Nov 15      9:00am     Decew Falls challenge   strenuous     Decew Road, Morningstar Mill parking lot 
Nov 22      9:00am     Old locks & reservoir      moderate      Old Lakeview Cemetery, Townline Road,
                                                                                               Thorold (west of the Walker Bros yard)    
Nov 29      9:00am     Niagara Glen trails         strenuous      Niagara Glen trails parking lot,
                                                                                              (Niagara Parkway lot by spiral staircase)  
 
As always (especially for the moderate and strenuous hikes) good water-resistant hiking boots are a must.  It is always advisable to carry a small backpack with a drink, a snack, spare socks/gloves, and a few first aid items. 
Feel free to email me anytime at jld-law@xplornet.com to receive any updated information and intel.   
 
I hope to see everyone out to at least a  few sessions!  

J. LEIGH DABOLL