Uli’s Stairs pt.2

I’ve mentioned these before.

Possibly my favourite thing in Hamilton.

I’ve been there a bunch of times since I posted those photos (6 years ago already - yikes), but hadn’t bothered taking any more.

Took some friends and their kids there on Sunday. A few changes, but still the awe-inspiring combo of an amazing feat of one (in his 70’s [!] )man’s ingenuity and hard work, and a beautiful natural area.

When I take my millions, and build the giant theme park of my dreams, it will feature stairs like this leading up to all sorts of magical sites.

Uli has added his own whimsical sign to the official legalese sign.

The lookout as you walk up.

The lookout.

Top of the stairs.

And Uli’s warning sign at the top.

The reward at the top. The Red Hill Valley.

The Niagara Escarpment.

And then I was dropped back off close to home.

Dinner Time View

A spot I enjoy every so often.

Borer & Spencer Gorge Thanksgiving Hike

Almost two months ago I took two friends from Toronto to these two locations for a hike. This weekend I had my friend M.A.C. from London come up for a hike, so went here again.

Looking out over Cootes Paradise towards Hamilton and Lake Ontario.

Looking out over Borer’s Gorge towards Dundas and Ancaster.

My pack.

Borer’s Falls, also known as Rock Chapel Falls.

Approaching the edge of Borer’s Falls. (photo taken by M.A.C.)

Looking out over Borer’s Gorge, atop the falls.

Standing at the top of Borer’s Falls.

Looking down into Borer’s Gorge. 

Blue markers on the Bruce Trail indicate side trails, this one being Ray Lowe’s side trail. He was one of the people who came up with the idea for the Bruce.

Webster’s Falls.

Webster’s Falls.

Webster’s Falls.

Spencer Gorge, looking towards the mouth, Dundas Valley and the other side of the Niagara Escarpment beyond that.

Exploriment. (photo taken by M.A.C.)

Tew’s Falls.

Dundas.

My hiking companion, M.A.C.

Spencer Gorge, looking back towards the source.

Hamilton on the left, Dundas and Ancaster in front and to the right.

Spencer’s Gorge, August 22, 2015

I was delighted to have my pal Michelle and her son Liam come down to Hamilton, and give me an opportunity to show them some of the natural beauty to be found in this perceived to be grimy, industrial city. They wanted to see some water falls, and this city has lots of them to offer, what with the Niagara Escarpment running right through it. We had a quick War of 1812 historical interlude, when I showed the ramparts in the Hamilton Cemetery. Took them to Borer’s Falls, where we saw a half dozen people. Stopped in the bucolic village of Dundas for an ice cream. Then went to Spencer’s Gorge where there were loooots of people. Took in Webster’s Falls and the underperforming Tew’s Falls. Then walked out to Dundas Peak.

Liam and I on the trail up to Borer’s Falls. (Photo by Michelle.)

Me and the YakBakDekPak, Ouch’mups, Slurp’mups, and Map’mups. (Photo by Michelle.)

(I was a schmuck and forgot my camera in the car, and I didn’t feel like jogging back to get it. Live in the moment and all that. So no photos of that part of the hike. Reports from previous hikes.)

Webster’s Falls.

Fishies.

Didn’t get a very good picture of Tew’s Falls.

A glimpse of Spencer’s Gorge.

When my career as a hedge fund manager takes off, I think I’ll buy this as one of my homes....

....just because this is the view.

At about the halfway point to Dundas Peak.

The view from the peak. Looking back the way we came up the Spencer’s Gorge and west across the Dundas Valley. The Niagara Escarpment curves around and can be seen on the other side.

Taking in the view.