Niagara Km 29.1 to Km 45.1 - 9 December, 2014

Hikers: Helgy, Anne and Steve

Leader:  Karen and Richard

Section and Distance:  Niagara Km 29.1 to Km 45.1

Weather: Cloudy and mild with a little sun,  no wind

Actual Distance hiked:  16.40 Km

Starting the Hike

After positioning the cars we started the hike at DeCew House.   We entered the bush and then followed the south shore of Lake Moodie for 1.2 km to the Hydro facility and then followed the trail to the Escarpment edge above Twelve Mile Creek.  Here we saw a good view of DeCew Falls by the waterworks building. We continued along the old roadway to Morningstar Mill.  We continued along DeCew Road before entering the woods.

After crossing several streams we descended steeply to a swampy area, followed by more fields.  These lands form part of the 700-hectare Short Hills Provincial Park.  The trail turned left through fields and forests to Wiley Rd.  We followed the old farm road and followed the north bank of Terrace Creek to Terrace Creek Falls.  It was here where we had elevensies.

 After crossing a bridge over a stream we reached an old roadbed (Gillign Rd.) and followed it up the hill.  We continued hiking through old farm pastures and fields and then climbed a steep ravine by the Swayze Falls and observation deck overlooking the falls.  The falls is known as "dry falls" because it is often dry; however, today there was a trickle of water with some ice buildup.

We continued through the wooded area of Short Hills Provincial Park before we exited onto Effingham Road which we followed for a short distance and then entered a right of way near an old water-filled quarry.  We skirted a field and followed an old road allowance for a short distance.  It was here that we had our lunch.

After lunch we ascended steeply to the top of the Escarpment and continued through the woods to Rockway Road.  We followed Rockway Road briefly before reentering the bush.  After crossing a small creek, we came to the Rockway Side Trail, which we took to the Rockway Community Centre to our parked car.  Along the way we stopped to see the Rockway Falls.

We picked up our second car, stopped at Tim Hortons and drove home.