Categories: Travel

This Ontario waterfall has different coloured rock layers dating back to the ice age

Time to take a trip back in time – all the way to the ice age! Devil’s Punchbowl is a conservation area in Stoney Creek about one and a half hours by car from Toronto. The spot is home to waterfalls that were formed over 115,000 years ago and here’s how to check them out for yourself.

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Image via Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area

There are two stunning waterfalls to check out here.

According to Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area, “The Lower Falls is a 5.5-metre classical waterfall, and the main Upper Falls is a 33.8-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 melt-water rivers that plunged over the Stoney Creek Escarpment, thus carving the Punchbowl and gorge,” it continues.

From the bottom of the falls, you can see some awesome coloured rock layers of the Escarpment.

The Punchbowl is the only area to view such a large vertical display of Ordovician and Silurian stratified rock.

“Some of the layers include Queenston Formation red shale, Cabot Head grey shale, limestone and shale dolomite.”

There are some other views here you won’t want to miss out on.

Visitors can see a spectacular view of Stoney Creek and Hamilton Harbour from the conservation area lookout, not to mention the view down into the seemingly bottomless gorge.

The Dofasco 2000 Trail spans 11.5-kilometre and features a long boardwalk section through Vinemont Swamp Forest.

Parking for the day costs $8 so come prepared with good walking shoes and some money to get in.

Have fun exploring, Ontario!

Devil’s Punchbowl Conservation Area

Where: 185 Ridge Road, Stoney Creek, ON

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