NOTE: These are HDR photographs, which enhances both colour and tone.
Waterfall Detail: Third Vault Falls is located at the confluence of mountain ridges that rise up precariously from the ravine. The area is remote and rugged. The falls drops into an amphitheater of rock, almost cloistering the rushing water as it drops into the basin. From the top of the falls looking out over the rim is an awesome rush of excitement. The waterfall is nestled by large hardwood and softwood trees that maintain moisture rich air. When the late afternoon sun penetrates the forest, lighting up the ravine, the brook sparkles, the waterfall comes to life as the water dances over the rock face, and it is easy to understand why it is so popular.
Although the guide information at the trailhead states 7.3 km round trip it feels more like double this length when you consider the steepness of the trail into the ravine and rock hopping required to find the best vantage point for viewing the falls. The trail is well maintained, but may be closed in a wet season. The last bit of the hike leads to a steep declining trail, filled with rocks and switchbacks alike. Near the ravine, rushing water and the sound of the waterfalls can be heard from a distance. The moisture-rich air from the cool waters of the Bay of Fundy influences the landscape. This influence is evident deep in the basin of the ravine.
Visit Detail: This is our third waterfall of the day and our energy is beginning to ebb. The trail to Third Vault meanders through a mixed hardwood and softwood forest. Many small brooks, gathering water from wetlands further up the ridges accompanied us along the way eventually making way to the ravine further on. We met several groups of hikers on their way back from falls. All bubbling with excitement of the waterfall and this lifted our enthusiasm to pickup the pace. As we began the decent into the ravine we decided to head toward the sound of the water to our left.
This track led directly to the brook where we emerged unknowingly up stream from the waterfall. Unsure of its exact location we decided to head down stream until it dropped completely out of view. The sheer mountain ridge opposite the waterfall was all that could be seen. At the crease in the ridge we found ourselves looking straight down into the ravine 20 metres below. Watching the brook plunge downward, crashing into the rocks below was just awe inspiring.
Tracking up and over the ridge we eventually made our way down into the ravine, where we looked directly into the gorge that wraps the falls. We are both totally captivated by this amazing waterfall. Our intention was to spend 30 minutes but this stretched to almost 60 minutes. Dusk was slowly creeping through the forest as we hiked out of the ravine. Entering the parking lot near darkness, two adventurers were both elated with our day of waterfalling as well as weary.
Waterfall Detail: This waterfall is located just before the West Branch Musquash River empties into the Musquash Marsh. It is an excellent example of the method by which the rivers to the west of the Saint John River empty into the Bay of Fundy. William Francis Ganong documented this phenomenon at the turn of the last century. Flowing between a notch in this rugged coastal area, the river drops 3 metres (10 feet) into the water of the estuary when the tide is high.
Take the Musquash exit from Route 1 and drive south toward Chance Harbour. At approximately 1.5 km from the interchange the road crosses the West Branch Musquash River. Just before the bridge park alongside the road and walk the short distance to the picnic area found at the abutment of the old bridge that spanned the river as well as information about the preservation of the marsh and the watershed.
Visit Detail: I just finished photographing the Lepreau Falls and the East Branch Musquash Falls and decided I had time to drive out to Chance Harbour to see if I would find a seascape to photograph. Just as I crossed the West Branch Musquash River I glance to my left towards a narrow notch in the rocky landscape. I noticed a narrow channel out to the estuary as well as an appreciable drop from the river to the estuary, so I decided to scout out the area.
Making my way along the hard crust snow, I stopped at the gazebo and read the information about the marsh. From here it is a short saunter to the falls. The river is running wide open with only ice buildup on the rocky outcrops near the edge of the waterfalls. It is easy to see the high water mark of the bay and how on high tide it would diminish the height of the waterfall.
What a wonderful find on such a mild and calm day for January. Enticed by the beauty of the waterfall and surroundings I spent 45 minutes capturing the personality of the area at the transition between fresh water of the river and the salt water of the ocean.
Waterfall Detail: Bains Brook Falls is on property belonging to the late philanthropist Mitchell Franklin. He established the Franklin Cultural Centre (Franklin Farms) on his estate and over the years, provided comfort and care to many thousands of people of all ages. It is said that Franklin Farms has a long history of being a very popular host to many public and youth organizations, as well as private functions.
Franklin was also a guiding force behind the development of the Fundy Trail, which will remain as an enduring legacy to his strength of vision, energy and drive to make his province a better place.
A gem in the middle of this property is this gorgeous waterfall. The brook spills over the rock face in a similar manner to Dunbar Falls and Lower Henderson Brook Falls. Situated on a sharp turn in the brook it produces a gracious deep swimming pool. A ridge of hardwood trees provides a backdrop of green highlighting the ashen of the waterfall.
Visit Detail: It was raining heavy due to the remnants of a hurricane as we drove down toward St. Martins. I am joined today by Gary LeClair of Sudbury Ontario. In a few days Gary will be heading back home until next summer, so we are getting in a few waterfalls before then. At Bains Corner we turn off Route 110 and head east toward the bay. Franklin Farms come into site as we drive along. Unsure of the exact location of the waterfall we continue past the farm until we find ourselves at the tidal portion of the brook and need to back track.
Parked near the gate the rain lightens to a fine mist, reminiscent of my visit to Ireland. The driveway leads down towards the small valley and to a wooden walking bridge spanning the brook. Across in the clearing are a series of buildings that appear to have been used for outside eating facilities as well as for outside entertainment. Making our way across we head towards a set of stairs leading down to change rooms near the natural pool at the bottom of the waterfall. The stairs are rotting away and Gary and I are careful not go crashing downward. The pool has a small dam at the bottom to help raise the level of the water.
Just as we set-up to photograph the waterfall the sky opens up and it begins to pour yet again. Alas we are forced to move into the change houses to set-up our tripods and photograph the waterfall from under the cover. The buildings are showing signs of neglect. We depart as we entered, quietly, leaving things as they are, showing respect to the property owner and his property.
Waterfall Detail: At this location the Forty Five River has cut a narrow slash through the mountainside on its way to meet up with the Salmon River. This craggy waterfall is on the eastern boundary of Fundy National Park, flowing through a series of notches eventually spilling into several pools below the falls. Underneath the covered bridge the river has created a considerable undertow and is indicated on warning signs posted nearby. Swimming is not advised.
There is an excellent vantage point just down river from the waterfall that affords a wonderful view of the waterfall and the cover bridge. This is the Lower Forty-Five No. 1 Bridge built in 1914. It is a Howe Truss design, commonly found in New Brunswick covered bridges. Spanning a distance of 30 metres, the timber structure provides a reflection of days gone by, when life moved at a slower gentler pace.
Visit Detail: Thanksgiving Monday promised to be clear and seasonably warm. A great opportunity to spend the day at Fundy National Park. My good friend, Roy Stillwell has joined me on a daylong waterfalling expedition. After driving down from Fredericton, our first stop of the morning is to check out the fabulous sticky buns at Kelly’s Bake Shop in Alma. I personally consider a trip to Alma and Fundy National Park a wasted trip without a stop to purchase ½ dozen of these delectable cinnamon buns. Kelly’s are renown for their world famous sticky buns.
Armed with sticky buns and coffee we head east out of Alma on Route 114 towards Riverside Albert looking for Forty Five River Road. Several kilometres later we turn north and drive out the road keeping left at the first Y in the road. The Forty Five River Road follows the eastern boundary of the national park. It is a distance of 8 km from Route 114 to the covered bridge spanning the river. We parked the SUV in a small clearing on the right just before the bridge.
After all the rain we had the previous week, the river is ripping through the narrow notch. The noise is thunderous, rising up like a storm along the steep walls of the ravine to beacon us to quickly walk down the road towards the bridge. We spent several minutes viewing the bridge admiring workmanship of the structure. Roy mentions that several wooden bridges have been destroyed in recent past. We both wonder what kind of person would destroy part of New Brunswick’s heritage. We eventually made our way back to the short but steep trail leading down to an excellent vantage point above the base of the falls.
Standing here admiring the waterfall I can understand why there are warning signs about swimming in the pools. The undertow and back swirl of the river is very evident. We spent 30 minutes scouting the area below the falls before heading back to the SUV and our next destination, Laverty Falls.
Waterfall Detail: Waterloo Brook drains the lake of the same name and joins Joslin Creek just before flowing into Joslin Creek Basin. The brook meanders along a shallow ravine until it knifes through a narrow ravine and then over rock face producing this quit waterfalls. From the small pool the brook continues through a steep sided ravine towards the Mactaquac Headpond. The brook is located a few hundred metres east of Joslin Creek.
There are so many of our waterfalls relatively close to highways and byways. Waterloo Brook Falls is only 100 metres or so from the Trans Canada Highway just north of the turn-off to Kings Landing. While driving northbound on the TCH look for the road sign indicating Waterloo Brook. You will be required to park alongside the highway just beyond marker 250. This will allow access to Upper & Lower Joslin Falls as well as Waterloo.
Visit Detail: Near the end of a long day of waterfalling I decided to stop alongside the TCH to scout this narrow ravine. I knew there was a small waterfall but was unsure of its size, because the last time I visited was after a heavy rain and there was so much water flowing through the brook that it obscured the drop.
On this occasion the brook was flowing just enough to produce a beautiful picture. Further up along the brook are several smaller falls. After parking alongside the southbound lanes I made my way down to the service road that parallels the brook. To access the waterfall I needed to scramble down the steep slope to the small basin. After taking several pictures I made my way up along the brook to find several smaller cascades.
Happy New Year and a big thank you to all who have taken the time to visit the site. I also want to thank everyone who purchased my book. Your support has made it a best seller in many bookstores across New Brunswick.
I wanted to start the new year with a waterfall visit. So today Jason Bennett and I walked down into the Howland Falls Ravine this afternoon. After the recent cold snap we found the waterfall pretty well frozen over. The ice has produced an arch that we used to cross over the brook to a open vantage point.
Hope you enjoy the picture.
Waterfall Detail: An experienced canoeist has told me that this little waterfall can be rather dangerous when run during heavy water. He could not pin point a particular reason except, because of its height that many people tend not to take the rapids serious and end up capsizing. This waterfalls is not to be confused with Tay Falls located further up river.
From a waterfall perspective it is a rather gentle rapids with a drop of not more that 1 metre. Tay River Falls is located approximately six kilometres up from the confluence of the river with the Nashwaak River. Drive north along Route 8 until Taymouth and just after crossing Tay River, take the first road on the left leading to English Settlement and further on to Stanley. Drive 3.5 km along this road looking for the turn off to the Tay Valley Bible Camp. Take this road and drive along the river and in several minutes (2.5 km) a small clearing on the left next to the river will come into view. There is sufficient place to park.
Visit Detail: In late August the evening sun begins to wane over the trees to the west just after 6 PM. It casts long wispy shadows along Tay Valley. On this particular evening, the sun provides enough brightness to highlight the southern bank of the river providing an excellent backdrop for this quiet location. It has been a rather dry month and the Tay River barely skims over the ledge providing a ribbon of translucent water. The effect is astonishingly spectacular with the sunlight dancing along the water.
Although the river is rather straight along this section the rock formation channels the water towards the left side of the river. Smashing against the rock outcrop the river boils over several small ledges before entering a graciously sized pool. During the photo shoot trout surface to feed on the numerous black flies and insects along the water surface. This is a special location on this calm evening. As the sun continues to wane the air take on an evening chill.
Waterfall Detail: This beautiful waterfall is located just north of Woodstock New Brunswick. Phillips Creek flows in a westerly direction toward the Saint John River before it begins a rapid decent to the river valley. The creek has cut a deep ravine through the lush farming country of Carleton county. The Monteith Family property is adjacent to the creek and the falls. They have taken plenty of pride in the area by keeping the area clean of debris as well as mowing the grass alongside the waterfall.
The family does not mind visitors just stop at their home and ask permission. From the Grafton Bridge drive north on route 105 toward Hartland. Look for Sharpe Mountain Road on the right. Turn and drive approximately 1.8 km to the Cooper Road. Turn onto the road and drive out along the road 1.4 km as it skirts along the farm field to the Monteith home.
Visit Detail: We are drawn to waterfalls as if we are programmed to appreciate nature. It is part of who we are as residents of New Brunswick. At least there are a few of us that are. My friend Jason Bennett scouted out this waterfall based on information I had been given. He called me immediately informing of a beautiful waterfall. On the next opportunity we decided to visit the waterfall together and photograph it. In late October I had an opportunity to meet up with Jason and drive out to the waterfalls.
This is a special place. On first glance I was held in awe by this beautiful location. I only wish I could have visited the waterfall earlier when the colours of autumn draped the cliffs that surround the enchanting ravine.
Waterfall Detail: Located on the old Miller farm in Darlington this hidden gem was a favourite place to splash around and cool off for my mother and her siblings back in the 1940’s. The community of Darlington is now part of Dalhousie and the waterfall is all but forgotten except in the collective memories of the elders and few nature enthusiasts in the area. Old Mr. Miller constructed a dam near the bottom of the ravine to provide water to operate his farm. The brook has no source such as a lake or wetland but is fed by an underground brook located further up the ridge.
The brook drops over an escarpment that runs the along the mountainside. It is very well shaded thus staying damp throughout the warm summer months. GPS coordinates held back to protect the property owner’s privacy. They are very accommodating folks, just stop at the farm and ask permission. Best time to visit the waterfall is after a heavy rain or in the spring.
Visit Detail: After gaining permission to the property I unlock the gate and close after entry. From here I drove along the edge of the field in a northeasterly direction towards the old farm road at the eastern edge of the field. Following the road up through the woods to the top field I could see the ravine on my right. Once there I parked and followed the edge of the tree-line to my right. About 50 metres or I picked up an old trail and decided to cut into the woods and bushwhacked down into the ravine to the brook and Cigar Falls a distance of 40 to 50 metres.
I once visited the falls when I was 11 or 12. Our scout troop hiked back from Dalhousie on old lumbering roads to the Miller Farm. Standing here I remembered that day. It was a long hike and being one of the younger scouts I was continually told to keep pace. None the less the site has positive memories of my youth.
Waterfalls Detail: This slide falls is located in the nape of Snider Mountain and Pleasant Ridge several kilometres north of Millstream. The area around the falls is mowed and there is a picnic site nearby. From my understanding the waterfall is a favourite site to cool off during hot summer days. Pleasant Ridge cuddles beautiful farmland that spreads out across the valley to the southeast.
Driving east on the old Trans-Canada Highway near Millstream drive out the Snider Mountain Road and stay to the left at the Y-junction continuing on the road until reaching the T-junction with a logging road some 7.38 km from the highway. Turn right and drive in an easterly direction 2.5 km looking for a road on the right just before the bridge across Beatty Brook. Turn right and drive down the road a hundred metres or so, until crossing over the brook once again. There is a parking area on the left and a picnic site.
Visit Detail: Back in late October I was on my way to Sussex to give a presentation about the waterfall book at the library and decided to take a drive out to the back of Snider Mountain to see if I could find the waterfall. My neighbour told me about the waterfall and how he used to bike up from his family home near the Millstream River on hot summer days to swim. He continued to carry this tradition on with his family while visiting the family homestead. Now that I have seen the beautiful little waterfall I clearly understand why he has carried on the family trips to this neat place to cool off during the summer.
Over the centuries the brook has ceaselessly shaped the sandstone and conglomerate rock to form a series of slide falls. On this particular day the waterfall was highlighted by the remnants of autumn foliage. In the distance I could hear the sound of a hunting rifle echoing along the ridges and was glad that I was wearing my orange vest.