Sep 8, 2015

2015 SHORTHILLS AND NIAGARA ESCARPMENT WEEKLY FALL PHOTO WALKS

2015 SHORTHILLS AND NIAGARA ESCARPMENT WEEKLY FALL PHOTO WALKS
(Updated 3 October 2015)

Shorthills and the surrounding Niagara Escarpment are beautiful to photograph this time of the year!  I am once again 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 2015 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, 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.  This year, we have some special mid-October waterfall shoots planned in and around Hamilton on the two most likely colour weekends.  Hopefully, we will see some members up from the South Towns Club for some friendly, competitive shooting.  

Come and join in on the fun!  Tentatively, rain-or-shine hikes will be held on each Tuesday evening commencing at 6:00pm sharp (slightly earlier as we approach Oct 31st) as long as the light is good and it is not pouring rain, and each Saturday morning (until Nov 28th) 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.  

Here is my tentative calendar of events (be sure to check the Welland Camera Club Events Blog each week as dates draw near, since weather conditions and last minute changes are inevitable:

Date            Time          Activity                         Rating                   Meeting Spot

Sep 12        9:00am        First of fall                      moderate               Mewburn Road Railway Bridge, Niagara Falls (dead end at Laura Secord Trailhead),   
Sep 15        6:00pm        Woodend ponds            moderate               Woodend Conservation Area (outer entrance)
Sep 19        9:00am        Canal colours                 moderate               Welland Canal access road and Holland Road, north of Allanburg bridge on Hwy20 
Sep 22        6:00pm        Big Bucks                      easy                       Shorthills, Wiley Road entrance
Sep 26        9:00am        Rockway Falls Gorge    moderate                Rockway Community Centre Lot, 8th Avenue, Jordan
Sep 29        5:45pm        Secret Sunset & Falls    moderate                Shorthills, Wiley Road Entrance
Oct 03        9:00am        Old locks & reservoir    moderate                Old Lakeview Cemetery, Townline Road, Thorold (west of the Walker Bros quarry yard)
Oct 06        5:45pm        Big Bucks II                  easy                       St. John's Outdoor Centre, Holland Road
Oct 10        9:00am        Hamilton Waterfalls I      moderate               Devil's Punchbowl Lot, Ridge Road at Centennial Parkway, Stoney Creek
Oct 13        5:45pm        Secret stream                 moderate               Daboll farm, 1991 Hansler Street, Pelham 
Oct 17        9:00am        Hamilton Waterfalls II    moderate               Smoky Hollow Falls Parking Lot, Mill St, Waterdown
Oct 20        5:30pm        Canal Sunset                  easy                      Welland Canal access road and Holland Road, north of Allanburg bridge on Hwy20
Oct 24        9:00am        Secret Fall Waterfalls     strenuous               Shorthills, Wiley Road Entrance
Oct 27        5:30pm        Lake Gibson Sunset       easy                      Morningstar Mill parking lot, Decew Road 
Oct 31        9:00am        Final Fall Colours           moderate               St. John's Outdoor Centre, Holland Road              
Nov 07       9:00am        Decew Falls challenge    strenuous               Morningstar Mill parking lot, Decew Road 
Nov 14       9:00am        Woodend Cliffs              moderate              Woodend Conservation Area,  
Nov 21       9:00am        The Pipeline                   strenuous                Lions Club Parking Lot, Hwy 20, Fonthill 
Nov 28       9:00am        Niagara Glen trails          moderate              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!