Devils Punch Bowl D2k #070924

Location: Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area, Stoney Creek

Type: Ribbon

Height: 37 metres

Source: Stoney Creek

Ownership: Hamilton Conservation Authority

Parking: Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area.

Driving: Exit QEW onto Centennial Parkway South. Head up the escarpment until you reach Green Mountain Road. Turn left onto Green Mountain Road and left again at First Road East. Follow the signs to Devil's Punchbowl.

Hiking: Devil's Punch Bowl Trail is part of the Bruce Trail. Follow the side trail from Battlefield Park or the main trail from Centennial Parkway, walking along the Niagara Escarpment. When the trail reaches the Devil's Punch Bowl gorge, it does a 2.2 km loop of the gorge. The conservation area can also be accessed from the Dofasco 2000 Trail.

Nearby: Battlefield House Museum, Nash Jackson House, Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology, Fifty Point Conservation Area and Confederation Park.

This waterfall area contains two separate falls, Upper and Lower. The Lower Falls is a 6 metre classical waterfall, and the main Upper Falls is a 37-metre ribbon waterfall. The Devil's Punchbowl is one of the Niagara Escarpment's most amazing sights, created at the end of the last ice age by huge streams that plunged over the Stoney Creek Escarpment to carve it out. From the bottom of the falls, you can see the many different coloured layers of stone, sand and fossils that make up the Escarpment in this area. The Punch Bowl is the only area where you can view such a large vertical display of Silurian stratified rock. Some of the layers include Queenston Formation red shale, Cabot Head grey shale, limestone and shale dolomite.

There is a spectacular view of Stoney Creek and Hamilton Harbour from the lookout, not to mention the view down into the seemingly bottomless gorge.

This is a really interesting site, and probably doesn't get the publicity it deserves. Do you notice something odd about this waterfall? How could the little trickle of a creek have eroded such a monstrous sized gorge? Well, the creek was probably much larger during the period just after glaciers left southern Ontario about 10-12,000 years ago. If drainage patterns were different, and more water was directed towards this creek, it would have had increased erosion power and could have eroded a gorge of this size.

The waterfall is easily viewed from the quiet park on the side of Ridge Rd. This is one of the best places to appreciate the layered nature of the sedimentary rocks underneath much of southern Ontario. But the best view of the falls is from its base. But this is a deep gorge, and it is next to impossible to get to the bottom from this point. The easiest, and safest way is to follow the directions to Lower Devil's Punchbowl Falls, and walk upstream along the path. The view from this point is stunning. As you enter the circular shaped gorge, isolated from just about everything else, it's just you and the 40 m high ribbon of a waterfall. As a special treat, if you visit on a windy day, you may be treated to what is probably one of Ontario's only "bending" waterfalls. When winds are strong enough, the falls can bend sideways in mid air, to maybe 10-15 degrees off from the vertical.

This is where the rumors abound. It is said that moon shiners set up their wares along the tree line near Ridge Road, and thirsty road workers would hike to the top of the escarpment with two-gallon pails to get some cold water from the falls. But were both buckets truly filled with water when they returned? There are many that have their doubts. The moon shiners were thought to be doing the devil's work, and hence the name Devil's Punchbowl.

There are also rumors that because the waterfall and surrounding area was so beautiful, some felt it should be named after God. But because of the afore mentioned business dealings, and out of respect for God, it was named Devil's Punchbowl instead.

No matter how the name actually came about, the site is a wonder to behold. High atop the mountain brow, sitting at the edge of the escarpment is the lookout point which hosts a 50 foot high steel cross adorned with 106 lights to light up its edges. Why is it here? What purpose does it serve?

Way back, in approximately 1930, a very tall pine tree stood on a rough and rocky ledge just below the escarpment edge near Ridge Road. Each year this tree was decorated with a balance of red and green lights at Christmas time, then lit, to send forth the message of Christmas greeting to the surrounding neighborhoods. But sadly after many years, the tree began to show the effects of time and it began to sag as it was pulling away from the rocky ridge, so it was deemed unsafe to decorate it.

People had become rather attached to the idea of spreading Christmas spirit through the lighting of the tree, and something occurred to a trio of enthusiastic supporters from Ontario Hydro. Why not put up an experimental set of lights to see how it would be received?

With this in mind William Sinclair, Murray Hyslop and Bert Tyman went to work finding the best location to erect a wooden cross to share the message of "Good Will" with everyone in the surrounding area. The cross was positioned just west of the tree, and very near the edge of the escarpment. The cross would be lit during the Christmas and Easter holidays. For 5 years the wooden cross reigned on top of the hill. By 1966 time again began to take its toll. The wooden cross was falling apart.

An idea from the original trio of Ontario Hydro linesmen was spread through the general community looking for a permanent solution to this problem. They wanted to erect a steel cross that could stand the test of time and bring forth a reminder of the good will of God. With the support for the project spreading, things moved forward and a site just east of the punchbowl was selected as the permanent location for the cross.

A steel hydro tower measuring more than 50 feet tall that was no longer being used was brought over from Birch Ave in Hamilton, Ontario to form the base of the cross. With this acquisition, the cross project got underway. Many local companies and the surrounding communities threw in their money, supplies, and labor to further the cause, and help bring their dream to reality.

On Dec 18, 1966 the cross was dedicated and as night fell, the photo electric cells blazed to life and the cross shone out across the valley far and wide. In April of 1990 the Knights of Columbus donated the sum of $1,300 to cover the cost of lighting the cross each night. The cross now comes to life every night of the year to remind people of the "eternal values" and share the "good will of God" with one and all.

The Legends

For years there have been legends circulating about Devil's Punchbowl. It has been said that on dark moonless nights you can still see the fiery eyes of a phantom moon shiner carrying his pails of booze along ridge road.

It has also been said that a group of scouts were visiting Devil's Punchbowl one day. One of the scouts had brought along his dog. As they were walking along the edge peering into the gorge, the hillside gave away and the boy and his dog fell to their deaths far below. The boy's father was grief struck and mourned for his only son. He felt the loss so deeply that he felt the need to share his grief with the world and he erected the cross in his memory.

The Realities

Although Devil's Punchbowl is an awe inspiring site, many people visit here for other reasons. Super Dave Osborne used this site as a backdrop for his "atomic yoyo" trick in 1989. There have also been numerous suicides from various points surrounding the punchbowl reported in the Stoney Creek News over the years. In 1991 a 20 year old man apparently jumped to his death from the lookout point. And 5 years prior, a young woman leaped over the edge to her death and was later found by a group of school students out on a field trip. Somewhere around that time a young man hung himself from the railroad tracks that run near the base of the punchbowl. It seems that Devil's Punchbowl has been a focal point for many tragedies over the years.

Dofasco 2000 Trail

The Dofasco 2000 Trail is an 11.5 km multi-use trail on Hamilton’s East Mountain. It passes through the beautiful rural countryside of Stoney Creek with both on and off-road sections.

Located on the Powerline Road allowance it runs in an east-west direction on top of the Niagara Escarpment. The trail offers users a unique opportunity to view the beauty and diversity of our region - from the steep slopes and vistas of the Niagara Escarpment to wetland areas and woodlots. As a stone dust trail featuring a 2 km boardwalk through the Vinemount Swamps, it has a passive recreation focus on hiking, cycling and cross-country skiing.

The trail links the 1812 Battlefield Park, Devil's Punch Bowl Conservation Area, and Vinemount Wetlands and will eventually continue "on-road" to link with the Waterfront Trail at the Fifty Point Conservation Area on Lake Ontario. Another "on-road" link will make the connection to the Chippawa Trail which is now designated a part of the Trans Canada Trail network. This link will pass by the recently discovered underground caves in the Eramosa Karst Conservation Area.

Nearby Trails

Chippawa Trail (multi-use )

When completed, this 15 - kilometre abandoned rail corridor linking Hamilton with Caledonia will become part of the Niagara branch of the Trans Canada Trail .

It will also be connected to the Caledonia -t o- Dunnville Rail Trail along the Grand River.

Bruce Trail (footpath)

T his continuous 725 kilometre footpath follows the Niagara Escarpment through Southern Ontario, from Queenston Heights to Tobermory. The portion through Hamilton is known as the Iroquoia section. The Headquarters is located at Raspberry House at the Royal Botanical Gardens.

Ontario Water front Trail (multi-use)

The Waterfront Trail stretches 325 kilometres along the shore of Lake Ontario. The trail links as many as 177 natural areas, 143 parks and promenades, 80 marinas and yacht clubs, hundreds of historic places, fairs, muse u ms, art galleries and festivals. A section of the trail forms the lake shore promenade at Confederation Park .

Red Hill Valley Trail (multi-use)

This 7 kilometre trail connects to both the Waterfront Trail in Confederation Park and the Bruce Trail. It passes through lovely escarpment lands and beautiful natural areas.

Niagara Escarpment Rail Trail (multi -use)

This 7 kilometre trail is a former rail line that runs from the Corktown area in downtown Hamilton east and up the escarpment.

The trail passes Mohawk Sports Park, which has washrooms, children's play grounds and various sports fields. The Rail Trail ends at Albion Falls. The trail is mostly flat, but becomes quite steep past the Kenilworth access as it climbs the escarpment.

The Dofasco 2000 Trail is an 11.5 kilometre multi-use trail on Hamilton’s East Mountain. The trail links the Devil ’s Punch Bowl Conservation Area, 87- Acres Park, the Bruce Trail and Battlefield House Museum and Park. It passes through the beautiful rural countryside of Stoney Creek with both on and off - road sections. The trail will eventually continue on road to link with the Ontario Waterfront Trail and Fifty Point Conservation Area on Lake Ontario.

The Dofasco 2000 Trail is managed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority. It was built in partnership with the Conservation Foundation, Dofasco Inc., the Millennium Bureau of Canada, TD Friends of the Environment and the City of Hamilton.

Your trip begins at the Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area at Ridge Road, which offers a stunning city view from its lookout. From there the trail will pass an apple and cherry orchard and provide a link to the Bruce Trail, and the Battlefield House Museum.

The on-road section of the trail currently runs along Devil’s Punchbowl The Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area is one of the most amazing sights of the Niagara Escarpment. It was created at the end of the last ice age by huge rivers that plunged over the Stoney Creek Escarpment and carved out the Punchbowl. From the lookout, you get a spectacular view of Lake Ontario and the Hamilton Harbour, not to mention the view down into the seemingly bottomless Punchbowl.

Linkage to the Bruce Trail

The Bruce Trail is 725 kilometres long, with more than 200 kilometres of associated side trails. The Niagara Escarpment, along which the Bruce Trail runs, was proclaimed a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations in 1990. It is one of only ten such reserves in all of Canada. Please note that the Bruce Trail is a footpath only.

Battlefield House Museum and Park

Battlefield House was built by the Gage family in 1796. It gives visitors the chance to experience what life was like in the 1830 ’s .

This pioneer homestead is where the Gage family was held as the Battle of Stoney Creek took place around their home. The one hundred foot (30.48 metres) high Battlefield Monument is dedicated to one hundred years of peace between the United States and Canada since the War of 1812. From the main Bruce Trail, follow the side trail marked with blue blazes for access to Battlefield House .

Vinemount South Swamp

This swamp forest is the biggest natural forest area south of the Escarpment in the Hamilton area. It is home to several rare and important species, including the Northern Harrier, the Sedge Wren and Edward’s Hairst reak Butterfly. The final phase of the trail will be a board walk th rough the swamp.

Erland Lee (Museum) Home

Built in 1808, it was home to the Lee Family for six generations.

Erland Lee and his wife Janet were instrumental in founding the Women’s Institute of Saltfleet Township. They invited Adelaide Hoodless to come speak in Stoney Creek in 1897, which helped to lay the Institute’s foundations. The house is the best example of Gothic Revival in Ontario. It is located at 552 Ridge Road, just west of the on-road section of the Dofasco 2000 Trail .