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
Looks like a perfect day!! 🙂
Anne
Looks 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
Last 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
Yay 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)
Looks like a really awesome experience! Who needs waterfalls when you have caves! #citytripping
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers
So 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
It looks like you had a great time! I love hiking this time of the year. Great foliage!
Nicki
I 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
This looks so lovely! Hope you had a great time.
Veronica
It looks like you really enjoyed the hike! The surroundings of Toronto are truly beautiful and have so many hidden gems.
Blair Villanueva
I 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
What 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
Huh, 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
looks like a beautiful place to explore!! And, I love a good “rack!”
Anna @Piper's Run
Looks like a lot of fun. I spent some time in Hamilton but nevery to hike.
Esther
What a fun adventure! Great pics 🙂
Tricia
I 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
I 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
I 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
So fun! I love little impromtu trips like that!
Jenn
Beautiful!
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.
Beautiful Hike! And any trip that starts with BBQ, is going to be great! 😉
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
Looks 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
Unplanned 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
I need to go on some more adventures like that! Looks like you had lots of fun!
Jan Michael De Guzman
Looks like a great place to find waterfalls (dried up one) 😉 and a place to hike. Love that pie. It looks really yummy
Adrienne Lee
Sounds like a great day. I especially liked the rock people.
Cathy (Mummytravels)
Shame you didn’t find your waterfalls but sounds a lovely day. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Megan Jerrard
Sounds 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
I 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
What 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
Carmy 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
Oh my goodness I almost spat out my tea at “bush bashing” hahahahaha! I think I will have to add that to my vocabulary
Marie
It 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
Wow! Such cool caves! What a beautiful spot to explore. I miss the ability to be that spontaneous!
Mary Beth Jackson
Sounds 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
Sounds like an awesome day! Last minute trips are always an adventure.
Tracy Chong
My 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)
Sounds 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
I 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
Finding 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
So…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
It’s Hamilton, Ontario. At the bottom of the post, there’s a little Google Maps for you with the pin dropped 🙂
Rashmi and Chalukya
Last 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
How 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
The little places one discoveres through such hiking… definitely worth the effort. Must look out if I am there in future.
Subhadrika
this 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
Last minute trips are the best ! Triple B that place sounds delicious.Great images.
Mika
Even 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
Wow, 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
What a fun little adventure! I think spontaneous getaways turn out the most exhilarating for sure!
Janine Good
I 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
great 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
Have fun :)! Have a whoppie pie for me!
Alberto C.
That 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
I 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
Random 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
I’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
A 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
Nice! 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
Underground 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
Hamilton 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.