Let me just start off by saying last minute trips seem to be my jam. So when I decided that I wanted to go on a mini adventure with the guys, it was off we went. Unplanned! I’m pretty sure my exact text was “let’s go find some waterfalls!!!!!” So let’s see what I got myself into.
We met up around 11AM because like I said, it was pretty unplanned so we didn’t do the logical “let’s wake up early and head out” route. While driving out, we drove by Big Bone BBQ in Markham and decided that ribs and fries would be our choice of fuel for our hike in Hamilton.
I had a nice chuckle at their tag line and between the four of us, we were unable to finish 2 servings of the dinners as it came with fries, beans, and corn bread on top of the rack of ribs. Clearly we were off to a good start for the day! Haha! But not to worry, we were going to work it off. Promise.
Back on route, we decided that our first stop would be the Devil’s Punch Bowl which is part of the Bruce Trail.
It was an easy walk but in order for us to get inside the “punch bowl” that we saw from up top on the observation area, you have to go off the trail a little and then (because I’m short) shimmy down a ledge and follow the sound of water! The Devil’s Punch Bowl is said to have originated 450 million years ago and just seeing the exposed rock was amazing. Due to the waterfall itself was mostly dried up to a trickle, I was able to explore and check out the wall up close.
It was definitely worth the little shimmy off path (I also saw a snake!) as the punch bowl itself had these cool little rock people. Of course I had to take a photo with it.
So since I had demanded that the trip would be all about finding waterfalls, we finished up our hike at the Devil’s Punch Bowl and headed over to Webster’s Fall.
Clearly it was not my day as instead of finding waterfalls at a place with the words “falls” in its name, we somehow ended off path and wandered the woods for a while. Luckily for me, the wilderness survival skills that I have pales in comparison to these two pictured. And by pales I mean they have more in their pinky fingers than I do overall but hey, I can out run them so I’ve got that going for me at least 😉
We wandered around for a bit, enjoying the nature around us before moving on to our next stop before we were to lose sunlight. So after climbing up a very steep hill, we somehow made it back to the car and decided to head to Eramosa Karst. Eramosa Karst’s description said that it would be filled with underground caves and streams, meadows and forests so I was sold!
Once again, no waterfalls but I didn’t care – I was having a blast! We found these little caves where if we had the proper gear packed, we could have gone caving/spelunking! Sadly, we didn’t bring any equipment with us and even I knew better than to head in without gear so we were only able to explore the outer areas.
It was a pretty cool experience as it’s not often that you find these spots within Toronto. I’m not really sure how long we ended up wandering around (this time we stayed on path!) but by the time the sun was about to go down, I was exhausted. So being the cheesy person I am, we stopped by Bitten and got me a whoopie pie to-go and stopped by Lush so I could end the day with a bath bomb!
Overall, it was quite the way to spend our day! Who would have known that my desire to look at some waterfalls would lead to us hiking in three different areas of Hamilton and end with me having a whoopie pie.
QOTD: Where are your favourite hiking spots? How do you usually plan a trip (assuming you don’t demand to see waterfalls on random mornings)?
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Umberta
October 11, 2016 at 4:56 amLooks like a perfect day!! 🙂
Anne
October 11, 2016 at 2:46 pmLooks like a pretty cool day out. Love hiking in new places but not a fan of doing the same thing over so always looking for new inspiration
Becki @ Fighting for Wellness
October 11, 2016 at 3:20 pmLast minute adventures can be so fun! There are some great hiking trails near us in the suburbs of Boston, which is great. Sometimes we plan our day in advance and leave early, other times we fly by the seat of our pants. 🙂
Farrah
October 11, 2016 at 3:25 pmYay for hiking! 😀 I haven’t gone in a while (quite unfortunately) but am hoping to again at some point (hopefully soon)! *-* Hamilton looks like such a fun place to explore! :]
Elizabeth (Wander Mum)
October 11, 2016 at 3:57 pmLooks like a really awesome experience! Who needs waterfalls when you have caves! #citytripping
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers
October 11, 2016 at 5:52 pmSo fun! I took a trip to Hawaii a few years ago and we did the road to Hana, which has all these little off the beaten path trails that lead to waterfalls. It was the best experience ever!
Kim
October 11, 2016 at 8:30 pmIt looks like you had a great time! I love hiking this time of the year. Great foliage!
Nicki
October 11, 2016 at 10:25 pmI am not a big hiker but I am digging your gopro shots.
I think next year I am going to get into it more.
Abbey Sharp
October 12, 2016 at 12:34 amThis looks so lovely! Hope you had a great time.
Veronica
October 12, 2016 at 4:36 amIt looks like you really enjoyed the hike! The surroundings of Toronto are truly beautiful and have so many hidden gems.
Blair Villanueva
October 12, 2016 at 8:45 amI couldn’t agree more with the unplanned trip. In my experience, those unplanned trip are more exciting and fun, compared to those you’ve planned months before. Always happened to us with my friends.
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home
October 12, 2016 at 8:52 amWhat a fun adventure! We don’t have anything like this around here–my adventures would have to be kayaking on the local waterways or an urban adventure in Chicago.
Jo @ Living Mint Green
October 12, 2016 at 11:38 amHuh, who knew Ontario had some great hiking trails?! It actually looks like what my trail running dreams are made of – not too much elevation gain!
Kim Hatting
October 12, 2016 at 1:42 pmlooks like a beautiful place to explore!! And, I love a good “rack!”
Anna @Piper's Run
October 12, 2016 at 3:10 pmLooks like a lot of fun. I spent some time in Hamilton but nevery to hike.
Esther
October 12, 2016 at 4:09 pmWhat a fun adventure! Great pics 🙂
Tricia
October 12, 2016 at 5:55 pmI love this unplanned escape! I’m glad you were able to make it down into the punch bowl! I’m vertically challenged too 🙁
We have not had much rain here at all especially the past couple of months so I can understand not seeing much of a waterfall!
I really want to get a hike planned.
Naomi
October 12, 2016 at 6:07 pmI love the spontanious aspect of your trip! sometimes those are the best. Too bad you didn’t find any waterfalls but love the funny thing about it!
Taís
October 12, 2016 at 6:36 pmI just love going on hiking adventure, and this one looks very cool. You even found caves? That’s pretty cool, sometimes these kind of unplanned trips are way more fun! And was also hoping that you could find a waterfall at the end.
Nicole @ Fitful Focus
October 12, 2016 at 8:15 pmSo fun! I love little impromtu trips like that!
Jenn
October 12, 2016 at 8:43 pmBeautiful!
Hiking isn’t quite as interesting where I live, so we don’t really do it too often. I would love to be able to go out on some real trails.
Karen G.
October 12, 2016 at 8:57 pmBeautiful Hike! And any trip that starts with BBQ, is going to be great! 😉
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
October 12, 2016 at 9:01 pmLooks like you had a great hike. I’m a big planner, so last minute trips usually aren’t my thing. I think I’ve had one last minute trip in my entire life.
Erika Bisbocci
October 12, 2016 at 9:08 pmUnplanned trips are the best! It seems like Hamilton has a lot to offer for for nature-lovers. Scrambling through caves, hiking and searching for waterfalls (even if unsuccessful) sounds like a fantastic way to spend a day!
Samantha O'Brochta
October 12, 2016 at 10:19 pmI need to go on some more adventures like that! Looks like you had lots of fun!
Jan Michael De Guzman
October 12, 2016 at 10:41 pmLooks like a great place to find waterfalls (dried up one) 😉 and a place to hike. Love that pie. It looks really yummy
Adrienne Lee
October 12, 2016 at 11:29 pmSounds like a great day. I especially liked the rock people.
Cathy (Mummytravels)
October 13, 2016 at 1:48 amShame you didn’t find your waterfalls but sounds a lovely day. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Megan Jerrard
October 13, 2016 at 2:24 amSounds like an epic day even though you didn’t find any falls – I love taking unplanned mini adventures – you never know what to expect but it always turns out being a fun day!
Susanna Kelly
October 13, 2016 at 3:48 amI am such a random last second trip person as well! My boyfriend will wake up at like 11am on Saturday and be like let’s drive 3 hours to hike! Then we get stuck in the dark haha. It’s the adventure that counts.
Also, most waterfalls in areas like this only are present when the snow is melting in spring or after rain, but it still looks like you had fun anways!
Sheri @ A Busy Bees Life
October 13, 2016 at 4:21 amWhat an exciting day, not surprised you were exhausted by the evening time. Last minute trips that are unplanned and open for exploration are the best.
Katy Clarke
October 13, 2016 at 10:51 amCarmy in Australia we call off the path hiking “bush bashing”. Sounds quite rude doesnt it?! Regardless it is usually the best way to have an adventure and you certainly had one here. So glad you joined us on #FarawayFiles
Carmy
October 13, 2016 at 11:58 amOh my goodness I almost spat out my tea at “bush bashing” hahahahaha! I think I will have to add that to my vocabulary
Marie
October 13, 2016 at 12:20 pmIt looks like a fun trip! And it looks like you got to see a lot of cool things in spite of not finding the waterfalls 😉 I too love last-minute trips. It seems like they are the most fun in the end, since you are more open to letting things happen as they happen!
Sandra Laflamme
October 13, 2016 at 5:28 pmWow! Such cool caves! What a beautiful spot to explore. I miss the ability to be that spontaneous!
Mary Beth Jackson
October 13, 2016 at 7:01 pmSounds like a great day and nice that you have a couple of friends that enjoy a last minute adventure! Now that I have no kids in the house I can do more spontaneous things too!
Toni
October 13, 2016 at 9:43 pmSounds like an awesome day! Last minute trips are always an adventure.
Tracy Chong
October 13, 2016 at 10:42 pmMy most favourite spot so far is stil around Indonesia and trekking through rainforest is my preferred choice.. And orh! Waterfall is definitely yes for me! 😀
Clare (Suitcases and Sandcastles)
October 14, 2016 at 10:29 amSounds like a great hike and I love that you were able to enjoy lots of yummy food before and after. It’s so good to do things on the spur of the moment sometimes – the experience is almost more special because of it. Thanks so much for linking up with #FarawayFiles
Joanna
October 15, 2016 at 3:52 pmI guess it’s typical when you go searching for waterfalls to not find any. At least you could explore the wall underneath of what used to be a waterfall, which is pretty cool. Seeing a snake though, it’s not.
Ami
October 15, 2016 at 11:31 pmFinding small nooks, crannies and caves is the best part of hiking. Just recently went for a hike in Indonesia and loved it for that reason. Seems like you too had a lovely time. Cheers
Tom
October 15, 2016 at 11:52 pmSo…where is this and how to get there? (For those of us who might plan something, even an hour in advance). And ribs sounds like a good way to fuel up before a hike.
Carmy
October 16, 2016 at 1:09 pmIt’s Hamilton, Ontario. At the bottom of the post, there’s a little Google Maps for you with the pin dropped 🙂
Rashmi and Chalukya
October 16, 2016 at 4:12 amLast moment plans mean you would not expect a lot from your trip and every small thing you encounter is fun and adventure and worth a memory, we believe its sole purpose is enjoyment and a delightful day amidst nature.
Tae
October 16, 2016 at 5:15 amHow fun 🙂 This sounds like my type of ideal adventure. Love the picture of the friends inside the crack 😛 I love to pull up to a trail head with no expectations and hike from there (not really the best planner ;))
indrani
October 16, 2016 at 5:43 amThe little places one discoveres through such hiking… definitely worth the effort. Must look out if I am there in future.
Subhadrika
October 16, 2016 at 7:06 amthis is a great way to spend the day. i would love to be part of this adventure myself. I love to go hiking or walking and trekking on undiscovered paths. Its alsways so exciting.
Verushka
October 16, 2016 at 8:47 amLast minute trips are the best ! Triple B that place sounds delicious.Great images.
Mika
October 16, 2016 at 9:54 amEven though you didn’t find any waterfalls, it looks like you still had a great adventure! There are really quite a few places to hike in Georgia, but it’s been so long since I’ve been back, so….but South Korea is like the mountain-hiking capital it seems, so I get my exercise in! Great post!
Sue Jackson
October 16, 2016 at 12:40 pmWow, amazing you were able to go to waterfalls in 3 different spots, all in one day (and with a late start, no less!). Sounds like a wonderful day – the hiking and the BBQ, too!
Seems we have a lot in common – I love exploring the outdoors, too! Would love to see more of Ontario. I grew up in Rochester, NY, so we used to visit Toronto a lot and Niagara Falls, but I haven;t seen much beyond that.
Thanks for sharing your adventures!
Sue
Shane
October 16, 2016 at 3:34 pmWhat a fun little adventure! I think spontaneous getaways turn out the most exhilarating for sure!
Janine Good
October 16, 2016 at 10:16 pmI love Hamilton! It is the waterfall capital! There is so much to see there and the hiking is incredible. I have close friends who live there and we venture to new waterfalls every time we get together!
Jenni
October 17, 2016 at 6:15 amgreat timing as im heading to Hamilton in a few weeks, although im more likely to have the whoppie pie rather than go for a hike lol.
Carmy
October 17, 2016 at 8:45 amHave fun :)! Have a whoppie pie for me!
Alberto C.
October 17, 2016 at 9:01 amThat looks like a great day out, especially for adventure loves like myself! When I visited Niagara Falls I went straight to the falls and then back to Toronto, probably like most tourists. I wish I had known about Hamilton before!
Ana
October 17, 2016 at 11:58 amI love hiking and looks like you had an adventurous trip! Your pie looks delicious and I’d love to taste it! Thanks for sharing about your adventure with us!
Erin Gustafson
October 18, 2016 at 4:29 amRandom needs to hike is built into my Oregon Girl persona! Love this. Sweden and Norway are FANTASTIC for random hiking, but living in Copenhagen – I usually have to plan HOW to get there. Also – OREGON – duh. It’s amazeballs for hiking. Waterfalls, mountains, forests, beaches and we have a Devil’s Punchbowl there too! Cheers from Copenhagen and thanks for linking with #FarawayFiles – looking forward to what you have for us this week, Erin
Danielle
October 18, 2016 at 9:32 amI’ve always heard about great hiking spots in Hamilton but have yet to explore! Next time I am home in Toronto I’ll have to do that… and try to find some waterfalls 😛
Vedante | The Lavish Nomad
October 19, 2016 at 10:48 amA spontaneous adventure is always the best one 😀 Great to know you had good fun! I’ve heard so much about Hamilton and the all the hiking adventures there 😀
Anju
October 19, 2016 at 12:47 pmNice! I’ve never been to Hamilton, looks like I should be adding it to my list! I do love myself some exploring adventures! thanks for sharing 🙂
Tamshuk
October 19, 2016 at 2:14 pmUnderground caves and streams – a combo intriguing enough for me to go exploring these kind of places. Loved reading that part about Ermosa Karst just for that. And I have had my share of unplanned trips that mostly led to having a good time eventually.
Ray
November 5, 2016 at 3:00 pmHamilton has been the last place that I would think of when searching for some outdoor adventures. These hiking trails look highly entertaining and something that I want to check out in the near future. However, the next time you find yourself in the Toronto area and are looking for an interesting outdoor adventure, then consider checking out Ball’s Falls. It’s a ghost town in the Niagara Region – just outside of Beamsville – and makes for a good hiking near the Niagara Escarpment if you plan on going to Niagara Falls for a couple of days, anyway.