While on my way to visit Iroquois Falls in west Hamilton Ont. I started to think about how it would have low waterflow since it hasn't rained recently. Then right as I decided to think of another place to go, I passed the top of Chedoke falls. A waterfall I have visited many times and usually get to from the bottom, but it always has good waterflow and is beautiful.
Chedoke it is! I hoped a small fence and started the moderately difficult climb down the escarpment.
Where I climbed down was right beside Denlow falls. A large cascade waterfall that is barely ever even mentioned by people who visit. The shots below are from around the half way down point.
Then looking down.
There are times that it has better waterflow and after it does, a lot of the moss etc. gets washed away. Displaying beautiful rock colors. Not today though.
Right around a small bend, Upper Chedoke falls becomes visible.
Upper Chedoke falls, a 60 foot tall ribbon waterfall is one of the most beautiful in the area! With bright turquoise water in the pool at the bottom. This is from the copper-aluminum phosphate minerals in the rocks.
This is why I call it the blue lagoon.
As you follow the creek down you see more turquoise rock formations in the escarpment and some beautiful scenery.
Then finally reaching Lower Chedoke falls, a 20 foot tall curtain cascade waterfall. You get treated to a waterfall surrounded by red clay.
Following the red clay walls you end at Chedoke trail.
Fortunately and unfortunately this creek and the waterfalls have had a lot of bad publicity in recent years. Claims of sewage spills and people having to be rescued from falls and injuries. These claims have made it so there are very few people visiting them (the fortunate part). But in reality the sewage spill happened very far downstream from the waterfalls and did not effect them in any way at all. The last rescue there was in 2024 to save a family of 5 that got stuck when a heavy rain fall happened and the water levels raised. Leaving them stranded on a "island". A very easily avoided or handled situation. Don't hike along a creek when there is heavy rain, but if you do and get stuck. Wait for the couple of hours it takes for the water to recede. The last rescue before that happened in 2016 when a 22 year old woman fell and hit her head.
This has always been a favorite hike of mine! Even with fake stories etc.
