Bruce Trail Hike in St.Catharines
Canada is blessed with an array of irreplaceable natural wonders, and the Niagara Escarpment stands out as a gem among them. Stretching from New York through Ontario, this breathtaking landscape offers a myriad of awe-inspiring sights. Open meadows embrace visitors as they traverse the escarpment's rugged terrain, while waterfalls cascade gracefully into rocky crevices below. The escarpment's old growth forests boast a rich tapestry of biodiversity, with towering trees and delicate flora inviting exploration. These landscapes embody the magnificence of Canada's natural wonders and remind us of the irreplaceable beauty that exists within our world.
On November 11th, we embarked on an exciting hike along the Bruce Trail Niagara section, starting near the beautiful Glenridge Quarry Naturalization site in the charming town of St. Catharines. Our main goal was to explore the remnants of the first, second, and third Welland Canals.The purpose of the Welland canal is to allow ships to bypass Niagara Falls and conquer the Niagara Escarpment in order to continue through the Great Lakes system. The Fourth Welland Canal, while still in use, couldn't match the charm of the older second and third canals, which reminded us of a significant historical era. It was a thrilling journey into the past, exploring a forgotten boat passage that showed us the impact of the industrial revolution on this region. Along the way, we were captivated by the breathtaking views of the Niagara Escarpment, leading us towards the enchanting town of Thorold.
As we made our way to bridge #5 along our hike, we were greeted by a breathtaking view that stretched out before us. On our left side, we were able to see Lock 7, and to the right abounded railroad train trucks. Continuing our journey, we finally reached Lock 24, the First Welland Canal Side on the Bruce trail, where we took a moment to appreciate the historic plaque of the Welland Canal Society and observed a small remaining section of the canal. Surprisingly, the canal had only operated for a mere 15 years due to the deteriorating canal infrastructure. The locks, constructed out of wood and constantly wet, had started to deteriorate after just a decade of use. Undeterred, we pressed on and eventually arrived at the Beaver Cotton Mill in Merritton, originally built in the 1880s. To our surprise, it had been transformed into the Keg restaurant in recent years. What was particularly interesting was its proximity to Glendale Ave, and we could even spot traces of an older road located on the north end of lock 15. It was evident that Glendale Ave had once crossed the Second Welland Canal in that area. Our hike concluded near the Hotel Dieu Shaver Hospital on Glenridge Avenue, leaving us satisfied with a fulfilling 10 km adventure.
