The stars aligned today and Nikki and I were able to take time for a much needed day out. We decided to explore further afield than usual. Beamer Falls Memorial Conservation Area sits atop the Niagara escarpment south of Grimsby, Ontario. It is home to a couple of excellent trails, one easy and one not so easy. Of course, we did both. The easy trail loops around the top of the escarpment. An observation tower and several look out points oversee the escarpment. The view is spectacular. The best I have ever seen, and I have traversed this region a lot.
I sounded Nikki out on the idea of an early morning hike to get to the lookouts and watch the sun rise. One faces directly east and looks over the forest. If we time it right the sunrise will be absolutely breathtaking. Of course, that does mean hiking this trail before sunrise. In the dark.
We added this idea to our bucket list. To do probably in the fall when the leaves are changing. Sunrise across an orange and gold Autumn blanket will light up the world.
Lower Trail
With the main trail behind us we wanted to explore the lower trail which ran along the river. The lower trail descends a steep staircase of wooden steps down into the valley. Not for those with older legs. There is only one way in and out, this is not a loop. So you have to descend a few dozen metres, do the trail, and climb those steps to get back out. Picture this trail as a balloon on a string. It starts at the bottom of the string. This is where the steps are. A steep and tree-root and rock infested loop section runs alongside the lower falls, that’s the balloon. Then you walk back, and up.
Me being me, I assessed the steps. Refusing to balk at this stage I just started down. All the way Nikki was worrying about me pitching over the edge and crashing to the bottom of the gorge. To be fair, so was I in places, but don’t tell her. I in turn was worried her knee would give out, and that she would hurtle past me into the abyss. Fun times. We persevered. Once down we scrambled happily along the rest of the trail. Sadly, this being the end of Summer there is very little water and the expected falls were almost dry. With just a trickle running between the massive boulders strewn across the bottom of the chasm, and having to scramble most of the way, photo opportunities were missed. We focused on the scenery and enjoying the hike. I did get a few snapshots, see the gallery below.
Stairway To Heaven
For us, it was hard going. Neither of us are spring chickens, plus I was carrying camera gear. My dodgy leg and Nikki’s knee didn’t help. We made it OK but I won’t lie, it was a challenge. Others passed us with dogs. One guy ran up the steps ahead of us. I miss the days when I could do that.
We paused to get our breath back at the bottom of those steps. I sat on a rock and switched lenses to shoot one guy as he began the descent from the top. He’s in the photos below, and this photo gives a good idea of the size of those steps. Not that bad, really, but a tad intimidating. There is a turn as the steps hug the cliff wall. Only half of them can be seen at any one time. The man in the photo is only half way down. There are easily twice as many steps as shown. Did I mention there is no rail? No?
We made good time on our ascent, it being easier for me to climb up than down. At the top we sat on the bench conveniently placed there for a while, to again regain our breath and congratulate ourselves. Well done us! I took a little video, not shown here. We laughed and talked for a few minutes, then completed the last quarter kilometre hike along relatively flat and easy terrain back to the parking lot.
Idiot
As I reached for my car keys I did a quick equipment check. And realised I was short one lens. A moment of horror descended on me as I remembered changing the lens. At the bottom of those steps. Aargh! To get it back I would need to go back a kilomtetre and descend them again. And climb them again. Bugger. I could only hope the lens would be still sitting on that rock.
Nikki did not want me attempting those steps again alone. Rather than wait in the car she wanted to come back with me, but her knee was playing up. So we agreed she would follow while I went ahead at a faster pace. Which we did. I gave her the drone and went on, with the camera. I reasoned that seeing it would eliminate any arguments about ownership of the lens when I reached it.
The adrenaline had now kicked in and I double-timed it back along the trail. As I neared the top of the dreaded stairs I saw two strapping young guys in their twenties sitting on the bench. They saw my frantic pace and the camera and yelled in unison “Hey, is this yours?”, cheerfully waving the lens in my direction. I had left it, thankfully, at the top of the stairs, not the bottom. Thanking them for babysitting it I was busily texting Nikki “Got it!” as she appeared around the trail head. We all laughed, I rightfully called myself an idiot, and Nikki and I hobbled slowly back to the car having walked far further than we had wanted or expected to. Through all this, Nikki neither complained nor yelled at me once. Her patience and grace is not lost on me. She really is a keeper.
The End
On return to the car we were both tired and hot. The plan had been to end the hike by taking the drone up over the upper falls, which were right beside the car. I shelved that idea in favour of the comfort of the car. We spent the next few minutes with the AC on full blast while chugging water from the bottles we kept just for this purpose. That few minutes after any strenuous hike makes it all worthwhile.
Our journey home was uneventful. I took the back roads, doing my usual random left and right until we got back into town. A couple of stops on the way and we had farm fresh corn on the cob for supper and I had a healthy salad lunch for tomorrow. Now I get to look at the photos. Tomorrow I will cut together the video. For now, I type. And then I relax. It’s been a long day.
Prints and products for all images by request.
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