Highlights of Grey County, Ontario

April 2013

Harrison Park

This is a wonderful weekend trip from Toronto that I did in the spring to the Grey Bruce/Owen Sound area. Northern Grey County is known for its waterfalls and beautiful Escarpment views.  It's an ideal time of the year since many of the waterfalls that I planned on visiting would be at their peak water levels.There certainly is not a shortage of things to see and do in the area from exploring an ancient cave, admiring the many waterfalls, hiking the Bruce Trail, enjoying magnificent vistas, or just relaxing by the shoreline.

My first stop on my first day was to Jones Falls near Owen Sound. Within a short distance from Owen Sound lie three beautiful waterfalls-Indian Falls, Jones Falls, and Inglis Falls. Jones Falls is located in the Pottawatomi Conservation area where the Pottawatomi River cascades 12 metres over The Niagara Escarpment. You will find eastern white cedars clinging to the edge of the Escarpment. White trilliums and columbines are two types of wildflowers that can be found on the conservation property. The falls can be reached by following a trail through a beautiful old growth forest and by crossing an arched bridge for the best view.

My next stop was Inglis Falls. Inglis Falls is 18 metres in height and is the most spectacular and most visited of the 3 waterfalls in the Owen Sound area. It is situated in the 200 hectare Inglis Falls Conservation Area and is popular with hikers, cyclists and picnikers. The conservation area has a viewing platform which provide close up views of the falls and features over 7kms of trails of various difficulty, a series of geological potholes and remnants of a grist mill.



Inglis Falls

I had planned on visiting Indian Falls but was unable to reach it since the trail was washed out.

My next stops were Bruce Caves Conservation Area and Skinners Bluff.  Skinner’s Bluff is a long escarpment face which looks out towards White Cloud, Griffiths and Hay Island and provides beautiful views of Georgian Bay and the surrounding rural landscape.

Skinner's Bluff

Bruce Caves Conservation Area is located on Grey Rd #1 near the town of Wiarton. The conservation area is made up of Niagara Escarpment, hardwood forests, swamps and caves. The largest of the caves which was formed roughly 12,000 years ago features a huge stone column which is very much similar to a flowerpot but is attached at the top. There are no viewing platforms at the cave and in order to explore the cave you’ll have to rock scramble. The caves can be reached via a short trail which also connects with the Bruce Trail for a longer hike. The Bruce Trail connects Bruce Caves and Skinner’s Bluff and offers many spectacular lookouts of Colpays Bay and along the 11km portion of the trail.


Bruce Caves

The next day was a visit to Harrison Park and a visit to 3 waterfalls (Walters Falls, Eugenia Falls, Hoggs Fall) on the way back to Toronto.

Walters Falls is a spectacular double plunge waterfall dropping 14 meters into the gorge below. There is a viewing platform which provides good views of the falls.



Walter's Falls

 

Plunging over 98 feet over the Escarpment into a narrow gorge, Eugenia Falls is the second highest waterfall in Ontario. Eugenia Falls was once the site of an ill-fated gold rush and in 1913, a hydroelectric power plant was built. The surrounding land was flooded resulting in the formation of Eugenia Lake which today is a great place to fish and to pursue such activities as canoeing and kayaking. While visiting Eugenia Falls, stop off at the Beaver River Grill and Eugenia Falls Emporium across the falls and treat yourself to a burger, sweet potato fries, an old fashioned soda or ice cream.



Eugenia Falls

 

A nearby waterfall, Hoggs Falls can be reached from Eugenia Falls by way of the Bruce Trail (Falling Water Trail). For those you do not wish to hike, they can drive. Hoggs Falls is much smaller than Eugenia Falls with a height of 25 feet. It is a beautiful tranquil and secluded spot and is well worth the visit while in the area.