La Fortuna Waterfall, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

February 2011

If ever you wanted to visit one of the most beautiful tropical waterfalls, then La Fortuna Waterfall is a must see while in the area of La Fortuna and Arenal . The waterfall which is located at the base of the dormant Chato Volcano plunges some 200 feet (65m) from a narrow aperture into an emerald pool below. To get to the base of the waterfall, one must first travel down a series of steep steps. From the ticket booth(there is an entrance fee) a path leads to the base of the falls. It takes around 15 minutes one way, the return being more strenuous and a little bit longer. The effort is well worth it as the view from the base of the waterfall is simply magnificent. There are a series of pools which are a great spot for a swim as they are quite deep in certain areas.

Other things and places of interest include Arenal Volcano, Canyoneering Adventure, Baldi Spa and Hot Springs, Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Centre

Read my full 16 day Costa Rica Trip Report.

It was a hot day when I visited the waterfall, I decided to walk to them from the town of La Fortuna which took me over an hour to do. It is situated around 6kms from town. A taxi ride one way will cost about $7 for those who prefer not to walk.

 

La Fortuna Waterfall Gift shop at entrance to the reserve



La Fortuna Waterfall from upper viewing deck

 

The stairs leading to the base of the falls can be quite steep in certain sections

A covered bridge on the way to the falls



A short distance downstream from the falls is a quiet pool area where one can take a refreshing plunge

 

 

 

 

Costa Rica 15 Day Adventure

February 2011

In February 2011 I set out to explore Costa Rica with (Gap) G Adventures. The tour that I took was the 16 day Costa Rica Adventure out of San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. What I liked about the tour firstly it is a small group of people from around the world, secondly, the tour visited the Caribbean Coast, Pacific Coast and the Central Mountainous region of the country hitting upon all of the main attractions that I wanted to visit.

The trip began in San Jose where in the evening we met the other tour members and our guide who explained to us the logistics and what to expect from the trip. The next day we set off to the Caribbean village of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Before arriving there, we first stopped en route for one of the highlights of the trip, a Rafting Trip down the Pacuare River which is rated as one of the top ten whitewater rafting trips in the world, not so much because of the technical difficulty(we rafted Class III and IV rapids) but because of the incredible scenery and locale. After our exciting half day white water adventure,we arrived in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca where we would spend the next 2 nights. The village has a very different feel to it relative to other Costa Rican places. It is a centre of vibrant Afro-Caribbean culture which is very popular with surfers. It has nice beaches and great restaurants where you can sample the catch of the day.

After relaxing in Puerto Viejo then it was off to our next destination,Tortuguero National Park. Our journey started on a short bus ride to the port city of Puerto Limon. Once at Puerto Limon we took a 3-4 hr river boat ride along the canals which would take us to our river lodge in Tortuguero. Along the way we spotted spectacular wildlife like sloths, howler monkeys, caymans, crocodiles and all sort of exotic birds. Tortuguero National Park is a seasonal nesting ground for green and leatherback turtles. We spent the next day exploring the park and went on a hike to the highest point in the park which offered beautiful views of the canals and Atlantic Ocean.



River boat cruising the canals of Tortuguero National Park

Then it was off for a completely out of this world experience, 2 nights stay at Rara Avis where getting there is an adventure in itself. We boarded a tractor for a long and bumpy muddy ride that took 4 hours to reach our remote jungle destination. Rara Avis is located just outside of Braulio Carillo National Park where at 700m (2000 feet) above sea level the climate is generally moderate year round. Here we explored the jungle with a naturalist guide, visited a butterfly enclosure, went for a dip at the base of a beautiful tropical waterfall and even had an impromptu soccer match in the mud.



Rara Avis

Our next stop was La Fortuna where I went on a Canyoneering Adventure, soaked in the hot springs at Baldi Spa, visited a wildlife rehabilitation centre, and went for a swim at La Fortuna Waterfall.

 

 

After La Fortuna our next destination was Monteverde. To get there we took a boat across Lake Arenal which offered great views of Arenal Volcano. After a 2-3 hours bus ride we arrived in the mountainous region of Monteverde. We went zip-lining where we swung like Tarzan and flew like Superman , visited a coffee plantation, visited Santa Elena Cloud Forest, visited a butterfly centre, and had dinner in a tree house restaurant.

Santa Elena Cloud Foest in Monteverde

Santa Elena Cloud ForesOur final destination was Quepos and Manual Antonio National Park on the Pacific Coast. We arrived late in the afternoon checked into our hotel then went on a sunset catamaran cruise. The following day I spent at Manuel Antonio Park soaking up the sunshine and relaxing on the beach. Then it was back to San Jose where in the evening we had our farewell dinner. The next day we all went our separate ways. My amazing Costa Rica vacation was over. What an amazing trip!

Catamaran cruise around Manuel Antonio National Park and Quepos

 

Autumn at Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area, Ontario

October 2010

Rattlesnake Point Conservation Area is a 727 acre park which is situated in the Halton region of Ontario about a 45 minute drive west of Toronto. The park has a trail system that has 5 lookouts that provide beautiful views of the local countryside. In fact, on a clear day, you can see in the distance the Toronto skyline and the CN Tower. The park forms part of the escarpment which extends 725 kms from Queenston near Niagara to Tobermory which is at the tip of the Bruce Peninsula on Georgian.

 A popular trail with hikers is the Massagawega Canyon Trail to Crawford Lake which 14.4 km round trip.

 

The main features of the conservation include limestone cliffs that are a few hundred feet high. These cliffs which are dotted with ancient white cedars are a popular spot for rock climbing. While in the area be sure to visit Hilton Falls, Crawford Lake, Kelso, Mount Nemo and Mountsberg. In fact the Bruce Trail system connects all these parks.

 

 

 

  

For more information visit the ConservationHalton web site.
 

 

French River Provincial Park, Ontario

October 2010

Once a major travel corridor for native Americans, the French River flows for 105 kilometres from Lake Nipissing to Georgian Bay. The park’s landscape consists of rugged hills and dense forests, channels, bays and many lakes that interconnect along this expansive waterway system making it a favourite destination because of the variety of water-based recreational activities such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing and angling.

French River Provincial Park is a nice place to stop if you are on your way to either Killarney Provincial Park or Sudbury. There is a Visitor Centre just 2 minutes off of Hwy 69 with a gift shop and many interpretative displays that provide a history of the area and its geology. From the visitor centre be sure to hike the short trail to the scenic Recollet Falls nearby. It’s a short hike roughly 30-45 minutes return and is a good place to have lunch. Don’t miss the view of the French River Gorge from the 300 ft suspension bridge that crosses it. This cable supported bridge was built by the local snowmobile club. Its span is 300 ft and rises 50 ft above the French River.



View of the French River from the snowmobile bridge

View of Highway 69 and bridge from snowmobile bridge

View of typical Canadian Shield cliffs while hiking along the French River to Recollet Falls.

Recollet Falls

Recollet Falls

 

French River Provincial Park can be assessed by Hwy 69 about 70 kms south of Sudbury.

For more information visit the following related links.
Ontario Parks:French River
Visit French River

Pine Creek Gorge, Pennsylvania: Leonard Harrison State Park and Colton Point State Park

September 2010

The native Americans called Pine Creek "Tiadaghton" which means river of pines.Today most of the area is composed of deciduous trees and only a few pine remain because of overlogging.

Often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania”, Pine Creek Gorge is a beautiful landscape that is well worth a visit in every season of the year but especially in late September through mid-October when the forest displays beautiful autumn shades of yellow, orange, red and purple. The gorge is 47 miles long and in some sections is over 1000 feet deep. Situated near the small town of Wellsboro in the northeastern section of Pennsylvania, the canyon is straddled by two state parks- Leonard Harrison State Park (East Rim) and Colton Point State Park (West Rim). The views from the numerous lookouts that dot the rims in these parks are spectacular.



Colton Point State Park

In the summer, mornings are often misty due to the warm moist air rising and meeting the cooler air from the mountaintops. Often mist is trapped in the canyon until the sun's rays can burn through.

 

 

Leonard Harrison State Park

Pine Creek Rail Trail follows Pine Creek for most of the way.

The canyon offers many recreational activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, fishing and birdwatching. The area has several good hiking trails but the crown jewel of the gorge which attracts thousands of outdoor enthusiasts each year is the multi-purpose Pine Creek Rail Trail. The hard packed gravel trail voted as one of the “10 great places to take a bike tour” spans 57 miles from the towns of Ansonia to Jersey Shore.

 

If you are into hiking here are a few suggested Short Hikes: The Overlook Trail (.6 miles) is situated in Leaonard Harrison State Park. Colton Rim Trail (1.5 mile) is in Colton Point State Park. The Turkey Path Trail is a steep trail that descends 1 mile to the floor of the canyon. There is a waterfall close to the bottom that has a lot flow in the spring but turns into a trickle towards late summer. For a longer and more challenging trail, the West Rim Trail offers a 30 mile blazed trail that traverses the West Rim of the canyon.

 

For more information visit the following related links.

VisitTioga: Pine Creek Rail Trail
Map of Pine Creek Rail Trail
Pine Creek Outfitters
Colton Point State Park
Leonard Harrison State Park
Maps of Leonard Harrison and Colton Point State Parks

Letchworth State Park, New York

July 2010

Letchworth State Park is situated in New York State 35 miles south of Rochester. Dubbed the “Grand Canyon of the East”, the park is 17 miles long from north to south, covers an area of over 14,000 acres along the Genesee River and is noted for its gorge scenery, magnificent waterfalls and dramatic cliffs reaching 600 feet in height.

Within the park there are 3 major waterfalls, Upper Falls, Middle Falls (the highest at 107 feet), Lower Falls all of which are situated in the south section. There is a path that starts at the Glen Iris Inn that leads to the Middle Falls and continues to the Upper Falls.



Middle Falls

Upper Falls

 

There are several nice lookouts along the rim of the park that provide spectacular views of the gorge and Genesee River. The Inspiration Point Lookout provides exceptional views of the Middle Falls ,Upper Falls and the Portage Bridge. The Big Bend Lookout provides an amazing view of the winding Genesee River and carved gorge. The Mt. Morris Dam overlook provides a great view of the Mt. Morris Dam.



View of the canyon gorge and Genesee River from Big Bend Lookout

View of Middle Falls from Inspiration Point

Portage Bridge is 820 feet long and 240 feet high and is still in use today by freight trains. The original wood trestle bridge which was complted in 1852 burned in 1875. Close up views of the Portage Bridge can be accessed from the Upper Falls by climbing a path with a series of steep steps.

The Glen Iris Inn is located on the top of a cliff overlooking the Middle Falls is considered the centerpiece of the park and was purchased by William Pryor Letchworth in 1859 with the surrounding 1000 acres. The Glen Iris Inn provides overnight accommodations and fine dining, has a Victorian Gift Shop and is a popular place for wedding receptions. For those staying the evening you will see the Middle Falls lit up at night with white and colored lights.

 

 

Glen Iris Inn

 

 

Letchworth has over 25 trails for hiking, biking, horseback riding and skiing ranging from ½ mile to the longest, the Finger Lakes Trail, which is 24 miles and spans the whole length of the park. Other activities include rafting and hot air ballooning.

 

Letchworth is beautiful any time of the year but particularly in the autumn when it displays magnificent red, yellow and orange foliage. The park can be entered through Mt Morris, Castille, Parade Grounds and Portageville. Cost to access the park is $8 per vehicle.

For more information visit the following related links.

New York State Parks:Letchworth State Park

NyFalls.com:Letchworth State Park

LetchworthPark.com: General Park Information-Camping Information and Park Maps

BalloonsOverLetchworth.com: Balloon Rides over Letchworth

LetchworthParkHistory.com:Learn about the history of Letchworth State Park








Oxtongue River- Ragged Falls Provincial Park, Ontario

July 2010

Ragged Falls Provincial Pak is located a short distance outside the western gate to Algonquin Park off of Highway 60.

A short trail leads to a lookout of the thundering whitewater falls, one the best in Ontario. Depending on the time of year, you can climb along the rocks (with caution) to the bottom of the falls and vice versa. The view looking up from the bottom of the falls is equally impressive. One great way to access the falls is to rent a canoe at a nearby outfitter (Algonquin Outfitters rents canoes for a reasonable price for the day) and paddle along the Oxtongue River to the base of the falls. The falls are very beautiful, one of the Top Ten waterfalls in Ontario, and well worth a stop while en route to or from Algonquin Park.

If coming by car, a parking permit is required and can be obtained from a meter costing $2 per hour. But if you are staying at the Wolf Den Bunkhouse nearby, it's a nice short 15 minute walk over and you save a few dollars on parking.

 

View of Ragged Falls and the Oxtongue River

For more information visit the following related links.Ontario Parks:Oxtongue River-Ragged Falls Provincial Park