Sherman Falls 071010

Sherman Falls #071010

(other falls in the area)

FALLS TYPE HEIGHT WIDTH SOURCE

Tiffany Falls -Lower Cascade 19 8 Tiffany Creek

Tiffany Falls -Upper Cascade 6.5 7 Tiffany Creek

Sherman Falls Cascade 12 7 Ancaster Creek

Hermitage Falls Cascade 3.5 2.5 Hermitage Creek

Heritage Falls Ribbon 3.5 2.5 Sulphur Creek branch

Mill Falls Ribbon 9 4.5 Ancaster Creek

THE SITE: From Tiffany Falls, the suggested route follows the main Bruce Trail to Sherman Falls.

It then enters the Dundas Valley Conservation Area where the Bruce Trail joins with the named Dundas Valley trail system following the Heritage Trail, the Main Loop and the Homestead Trail to pass Hermitage and Heritage Falls. At the Trail Centre, Sawmill Creek Trail forms a large loop to the north, retuning to the Trail Centre and then on to the Monarch Trail which loops back to near Sherman Falls

UPDATE: The trail to Tiffany Falls is dangerous and is currently closed to all.

THE HIKE: Follow the trail from the Tiffany Falls parking lot into the woods to the right of the creek bed. After a distance the trail tends to split with an upper trail and a lower trail near the creek bed. The upper trail is very dangerous and large portions have eroded away so take the lower trail for your own safety. The creek bed rounds a corner and there in front of you is the impressive Tiffany Falls. There is a trail up the side of the gorge to the left of the falls that leads to another Tiffany Falls –the upper falls which has a height of 6.5 m and a crest of 7 m. After viewing the falls retrace you steps to the parking lot.

To access the main Bruce trail you need to cross-busy Wilson Avenue. Be very careful here!

Once across, go left on the main trail. This is an interesting section of the trail with some very rocky portions. You might see a few deer in the area. The trail comes out onto Old Dundas Road. Be careful crossing this road to pick up the main Bruce trail on the other side.

As you leave the road and enter the Bruce Trail system once more, you can see and hear Sherman Falls ahead of you. The trail crosses a wooden bridge in front of the falls. Leaving the falls, the trail climbs a dirt hill and follows along a fenced-off field and then goes back into the woods and follows the winding edge of the escarpment.

There are many bicyclists using the trail so caution is necessary. Around a rock face at the wooden bridge there is another small waterfall (we call this “Canterbury Falls”) as the creek runs down into the gorge. The trail meets a gravel pathway called the Heritage Trail and continues straight ahead. This trail is part of the Dundas Valley Conservation area series of marked trails. The trail comes to a corner, makes a right turn and then goes downhill and follows a small almost dry creek bed.

At the bottom of the hill there is a small junction and the trail goes left crossing a small wooden bridge. Before reaching this bridge, Hermitage Creek flows down the side of the escarpment resembling more of a waterslide than a waterfall or a rapid. Hermitage Falls is a short distance further upstream. Just before the bridge the Merrick side trail goes off to the right. Ignore this trail and stay on the main trail crossing the bridge. The trail now winds steeply downhill and crosses a wide creek of flowing mineral water. It then climbs up to another gravel roadway and which is the Main Loop of the Dundas trail system. At his point turn left leaving the main Bruce Trail and soon you will arrive at a large parking lot.

Near the entrance to the lot there is an old gatehouse. Walk to the right of this structure and hidden in the woods you will see Hermitage Falls, which has a reliable source of water flowing over it most of the year.

After viewing the Falls, walk out of the driveway to Sulphur Springs Road and turn right. At the intersection walk straight ahead onto Mineral Springs Road. Follow the shoulder of this road a short distance until you come to a tall hydro tower on the north side of the road that is marked “133”. You will see a path and a small sign identifying “Griffin House”. Follow the path to the nearby house and examine it. To the north of the house the land slopes downwards. On the right of this slope you will see an old overgrown shed that you might wish to explore. To the far left there is a medium-sized tree. Head towards the tree and climb the slight slops to find a narrow path between two rows of shrubs. Follow this path until it joins the Homestead Trail. Go left on this trail. In less than 10 minutes you will see the trail cross a metal culvert. To your left there is a large deep gorge where Heritage Falls is located. This Falls is dry most of the year except in early spring and after heavy rainfalls. Continue along the Homestead Trail until you come to a wide grassy trail where you head left leaving the Homestead Trail. Soon you will arrive at a sign for the Headwaters Trail. Go left on this trail crossing Sulphur Springs Road. This trail heads downhill and joins the Main Loop trail.

The trail zigzags down a very steep hill to the roadway and parking lot at the bottom. If you cross the road at the parking lot you can see a small rock structure with a metal inscription plate featuring a tube delivering sulphur water and its aroma. Head back to where you came down the hill and follow the creek bed to your right as the Main Loop follows Sulphur Creek as it meanders along.

Turn left at the T-intersection and at the next intersection go right and follow the Main Loop to the Hermitage ruins. Continue following the white Bruce Trail blazes and at the trai Centre signpost turn left towards the Trail Centre. There are washrooms, sheltered picnic table, drinks and snacks available here. Open daily 9 -5 pm in the summer (July & August only) and weekends only otherwise.

Behind the Trail Centre to your left you will see the start of the McCormack Trail. FollowTrail Centre this trail until it meets the Sawmill Creek Trail (which has neither a sawmill nor a creek). Go left onto this trail and follow the Sawmill Trail loop trough its grassy paths in a large loop, which returns to the Trail Centre.

The last part of this trail is particularly interesting. There is also an exercise trail that you can explore.

From the Trail Centre, cross the tracks and head back to the Main Loop. At the main loop turn left onto the Monarch Trail. Follow this trail keeping a lookout for the sign for Groundhog Hill. Take the trail up to the top of Groundhog Hill for a great panoramic view of the countryside. You might find a young man here reading a book aloud to his girlfriend lying in the grass with her head on his leg; both oblivious to your presence.

Continue along the Monarch Trail passing an outdoor lecture theatre. At the T-intersection turn right and go downhill to the Resource Management Centre and follow the Artaban road leading away from this centre. Artaban Road meets Lions Club Road. Go left on Lions Club road until you arrive at the intersection with Old Dundas Road. Sherman Falls is to your right. Cross Old Dundas Road and follow the main Bruce trail back to Tiffany Falls. Look for the blue side trail access sign indicating you are at Tiffany Falls. Be very careful crossing the very busy Wilson Road to get back to the Tiffany Falls parking lot.

To see Mill Falls, drive back along Wilson and turn right onto Montgomery Drive. At the bottom of Montgomery turn left onto Old Dundas Road and look for the Ancaster Mill signs. Park in one of the lots. Mill Falls is behind the Ancaster Mill.

Cultural History: This lovely waterfall has two cascading drops and is also known as Fairy Falls or Angel Falls.

Located on private property along the Bruce Trail, this is where Ancaster Creek flows over the Niagara Escarpment. This waterfall, fed by springs from its headwaters, has a strong, continuous flow.

The waterfall was known by many names depending on who owned the property at the time. Samuel Smith and the Egleston family, both owned the land at one time. Francis Whitton bought the farm and landscaped it with spacious lawns and beautiful gardens. He built a large elegant home, a garage, greenhouse, and gardener’s cottage. The Whitton home was sold to the Sherman family. Clifton Sherman, an American with years of experience in foundry management, established the Dominion Foundries and Steel Co. (Dofasco) in 1912. Members of the Sherman family became well known in the local community and managed the plant for decades until Frank Sherman recently stepped down as Chairman. After the death of Frank Sherman, Colin Dunbar bought the property. It is from the locally well-known Sherman family that the waterfall got its name.