A BASIC NOTE ABOUT WATERFALLING AND SAFETY.

(from my introduction to Waterfalls of Southwestern Cape Breton, coming soon)

While waterfalls are not inherently dangerous, it is ones own actions at a waterfall site that can create the situations where harm can befall even the most experienced hiker. While I have encountered dangerous situations at waterfalls, and have suffered many accidents, sometimes severe (broken ankles, severe lacerations, wasp swarms), there are simple common sense precautions that you should keep in mind while you are visiting a waterfall to ensure that your visit to the falls is not memorable for the wrong reasons. Remember, many of the waterfalls listed are located in undeveloped areas, far from convenient access to emergency personnel, and deep in the ravine at the base of the falls, cell phone reception can be very difficult to obtain, even if there might be a signal at the top of the gorge.

First and foremost, take into account that the rocks around a waterfall are slippery. It is inadvisable to stand at the precipice of the falls, or to climb the falls themselves unless you have proper safety gear. Standing at the verge of a waterfal may be exhilarating, but even a small distraction could lead to a serious fall. When a site requires me to descend the falls for good photography locations and I am facing dangerous conditions, if I do not have the proper gear with me, I will walk away, every time. Even to take photographs over the precipice of a fall, I suit up with a climbing harness and secure a safety line. Some falls have side trails that snake up alongside the falls with appropriate foot and hand-hold and ropes, and these can be approached with caution, but a simple caveat: never trust a rope you don't know with your life.

Dress appropriately. Dont go cross country, up and down steep sides of gullies, or creek walking in bare feet or sandals. Wear shoes that are comfortable when they get wet, because odds are, they will become so. Bring along an extra pair of shoes and dry socks. Avoid cotton clothing, which does not shed water, and try to dress with synthetic fabrics which wick the moisture away from the body much quicker. Wear a long sleeved shirt, between the thorns and twigs you will encounter bushwhacking, it also gives the no-see-'ums and mosquitos less skin to swarm.

Bring hydration. Many of these hikes can be very strenuous, and ensuring proper hydration is a necessity, especially on hot days. Bring more water or juice along than you will think you will need. Dont drink the water from the streams! You should ALWAYS consider any water from any
source to be contaminated with disease causing organisms until properly treated.

As an urban society, we are very accustomed to turning on the faucet and having treated water flow out. In the woods, these streams are untreated and even if it looks clear, cold and delicious, it is likely filled with millions of microscopic organisms which COULD make you seriously ill. Remember, watercourses are where the wildlife go to drink, and defecate, not to mention human interaction upstream of where you might be. Those crystal clear waters may contain E. coli and  salmonella, or hookworms and tapeworms.

Modern filtration options work, TO A DEGREE, to help purify the water but do not completely clear out the risks of water-borne disease. Many portable filters that you bring with your water bottle only filter out 85% of the bacteria and the chemical water purificatin tablets do an admirable job, but most brands on the market today still leave your water tasting and smelling like chlorine. The best method of water purification is to simply boil it.

Bring along snacks. In the worst case scenario, and you do become stranded in the woods, overnight or longer,  its best to be prepared with foods that have a high caloric value from carbohydrates along, such as energy bars, (fresh or dried) fruit snacks, lunch meats and the like. I tend to carry at least two litres of water, a bottle of fruit juice or powder, and water purification tablets. I bring along beef jerky, trail mix, dried fruits and M&Ms to eat, and if I were to be stranded for several days, this gives me enough to survive on.

Know your terrain. Many of these sites are in the deep wilderness, and getting lost is no fun. When in doubt, keep the stream within eyeshot. Check into seasons when hunting is occurring in your area, and dress appropriately in hunter's orange. Contact Natural Resources offices for this information.

While bringing a cell-phone can be helpful, remember that many places you will find yourself in
chasing down these waterfalls, there is little or no cellular service.

Keep your hands free. Many of these areas are dangerous with sheer drops and steep gorges, and keeping your supplies in a backpack gives you the freedom to break a fall, balancing or holding on for dear life if the need arises.This is especially important while taking your photographs at the waterfalls, hop-skipping on rocks to get that perfect angle. Having a good hiking stick along with you makes it easier to balance, to test the depth of pools and the creek while you are walking upstream. Many high-quality walking sticks, nowadays, have the attachments to work as a monopod for your camera as well.

Prepare a waterfalling kit. This should include your snacks and water bottles, as well as dry, lightweight and breathable clothing. Long sleeved shirts and lightweight slacks are best as they offer protection from fly-bites, scratches from thorns, raspberry patches, poison ivy and twigs. Longer lightweight clothing will also give you more protection for the elements should you become stuck inthe woods for any period of time. A good rule of thumb is to include something reflective in your clothing choices as well.

Carry a traditional compass and a copy of the local paper topographic map in addition to your GPS receiver. A word of advice is to always use the "cookie crumbs" function your GPSr on when you begin your trip into the falls to make it easy to find your way back to your parking location. Always bring extra batteries for your GPSr.

Other items you should also pack in a waterfalling kit is a first aid kit, trail-marking tape, sunscreen, a Fox40 signalling whistle, and insect repellant. I generally carry a fairly heavy pack to deal with whatever situations I might come across in the wood, and it would be smart to pack a more extensive pack if you are delving into the deeper woods on overnight hikes, much like we might find in the Cape Breton Highlands.

I also have in my pack, in addition to the above: rolled-up hip-waders, a length of one hundred feet of dynamic rope, a climbing rig and climbing gloves, flint and steel, fire starter, a fold-down rain jacket, a fold down fishing rod , a small tackle kit, snare wire and a tarp along with me. I carry a Bowie knife with me in a sheath on my belt, and a machete for deeper excursions. I've also found that much can be fit, comfortably, in a load-bearing tactical vest with molle attachments to customize it to your needs. These are available at most army surplus stores.

I make sure that when I enter the woods, it is with the knowledge that if I do get lost or injured along the hike, I can easily survive with a few days worth of caloric intake and make a basic shelter and fire.

Its best to be prepared for the worst, in case something happens. If something looks unsafe, dont attempt it. Come back another day better equiped if necessary. Use common sense and caution.

AND BRING A BUDDY! ! While the allure of hiking alone in the woods is appealing, surrounded by nothing but unspoiled nature and yourself, having a friend along in case something happens is just plain good sense. This is the one maxim that I most often ignore, in chasing down the waterfalls for this book, I have gone deep into the woods, along steep tracks and dangerous locations by myself, and while I am an experienced woodsman, if something should happen to me while I 'm out in the woods alone, there will be no-one there to get me to safety, or bring assistance back to where I lay, hurt.

While bringing a cell-phone can be helpful, remember that many places you will find yourself in
chasing down these waterfalls, there is little or no cellular service.

Remember, also, that you arent the only denizen in the woods. Nova Scotia has it's fair share of wild animals that you should respect. Remember, these woods are THEIR homes; you, in your pursuit of the waterfalls along the brook, are the visitor in their domain. Our province is home to many animals that could pose a safety risk to you in the woods, but simple knowledge can be
invaluable no matter why you are in the woods.

Black Bears are common in Nova Scotia. Most times, a bear will flee from the area before you even know it is there, having heard or smelt you from a long ways away. Some bears have become used to humans and may not avoid you as a matter of course. If you come across a bear in the woods, and it has become of aware of you as well, talk to the bear in a low tone,  wave your arms to make yourself look larger, back away slowly, and leave the area.

A defensive bear will not respond to these actions, especially if it perceives you as a threat or if it is defending a food source or its young. It may use loud vocalizations such as huffing, blowing air loudly through its nostrils, exhaling loudly and "popping" its teeth. It may swat the ground with its fore paws, lowering its head, and drawing back its ears. As well, a defensive bear may resort to bluff charges. The bear is feeling threatened by your presence and is trying to get you to back off.

If you come across an agressive bear, stop and face it. If you are out in the woods with others, stay together and act as a group. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. Slowly back away, watching the bear and wait for it to leave. Use a whistle or airhorn, or bear spray if you  have that handy.

Use of a bear-bell on your backpack will produce enough noise to generally keep bears away in the first place. DO NOT turn and run - this may trigger a predatory response in the bear. DO NOT climb a tree - bears are excellent climbers. If you are attacked by a bear, DO NOT play dead. Yell, throw rocks at it, hit it with sticks. In other words, do everything in your power to convince the bear that attacking you is not a wise action for it to pursue. When you have scared  it away, leave the area immediately.

Coyotes are also prevalent in Nova Scotia. They have made the news many times recently, and have been responisible for several hiker's deaths. They often travel in packs consisting  of several individuals. As with a black bear, do not approach the animal, and if you are confronted by a coyote, do what you can to make yourself seem larger, use your walking stick to hit it, but DO NOT turn your back on it, and DO NOT run away from it. It will percieve this as an action of  prey and chase you down.

Moose are not especially abundant in southwestern Cape Breton Island, but are found aplenty in the Cape Breton Highlands, which we will touch on in later books. However rare an encounter with them might be, it pays to be aware of how to deal with one. While they are awe inspiring and picturesque when seen in their natural element, remember that they are a wild animnal and can pose signifigant danger, especially if they become agressive. Their broad horns can cause signifigant damage, both in lacerations and by being thrown by the animal. Standing at nearly 7 feet at the shoulder and can weigh up to 700kg (1,500 pounds), they can trample you, and as an agile animal with very flexible joints and sharp hooves, they are capable of kicking with both their front and back legs, able to do so in all directions including sideways. They generally only attack when they become startled, and many times this can simply be the presence of an accompanying dog on your waterfalling journey barking at it. A mother with her calves will charge if you come between them, but as the moose is not carnivorous, they don't tend to chase  people when they run away.

Signs to watch for out on the trails that a moose has become agressive towards you are when it stops eating and stares at you. The moose lays its ears back and raises the hair on its hump. It licks its lips or clicks its teeth or if it lowers its head and walks towards you. If you are attacked by a moose RUN. Place a strong barrier between you and the moose, heavy deadfall or the like. If you get knocked to the ground, curl up in the fetal position,protect your head with your arms and do not move until the moose is a safe distance away from you.

Also, be aware of the smaller animals in the woods, such as skunks and porcupines, which are found in every corner of Nova Scotia, and while they might not be as dangerous as bears and coyotes, they can be harmful to your dogs if you travel into the woods with them. Bees, wasps and hornets are common in every part of the province, and it is advisable to carry an epi-pen with you if you have an allergy to such. Yellowjackets like to make their nests in a bare patch of earth and a cleared trail in the woods is a perfect place for them. I've been several times on the trailsand very little can ruin a hike more than a few score hornet stings all over your body.

Be aware of poisonous plants in Nova Scotia as well. Poison Ivy and Poison Hemlock are common, so be aware of these plants appearances before you go bush-whacking across a field in search of a waterfall. Do not eat mushrooms you find along your way, there are severla species of poisonous mushrooms in the province and unless you are one hundred percent sure of what you are eating, leave it alone.

AND as a last word, always ALWAYS let someone know where you are going. Simple as that. If you get lost or hurt in the woods, it will be much easier for Search and Rescue to find you if they have a basic idea of where you were headed out for in the first place.

PENNANT RIVER FALLS
East Pennant, Halifax County
N 44° 28.692 W 063° 37.670 
UTM: 20T E 450070 N 4925179

RIVER: Pennant River
CLASS: multiple cascades
SIZE: 5ft-8ft
RATING: excellent (****)

TRAIL: established woods trails
DISTANCE: 600m
HIKING TIME: 30 minutes
CONDITIONS: moderate

Geocache: GCQT6V

NS Atlas Page: 751
NS topo map: 011D05 (Sambro)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: from Halifax, take EXIT1D southbound off HWY102, onto Northwest Arm Drive (signed for Sambro and Herring Cove).Drive south 3.6km, then turn right onto Old Sambro Road (HWY306). Continue 1.1km and turn right to remain on Old Sambro Rd (at St.Pauls United Church), and continue a further 16.9km and turn right onto West Pennanat Road. Follow this road 2.0km and park before the bridge where Pennant River flows beneath the highway.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: follow the well established trail up alongside the right hand side of the river up to the falls, a short way along. Further beyond the falls, following the trail, you will arrive at Grand Lake, with many massive boulders lining its edges. Crystal Crescent Provincial Park, with many further hours of coastal hiking, is just south of this area, just follow the signs.It has three beautiful white sand beaches and a 10km hike from the park to Pennant Point.

DAVIDSONS BROOK FALLS
Halibut Bay, Halifax County
N 44° 33.020 W 063° 33.335
20T E455871 N4933150

RIVER: Davidsons Brook
CLASS: plunge, chute
SIZE: 20'
RATING: excellent (****)

TRAIL: downstream
DISTANCE: 250m
HIKING TIME: 15 minutes
CONDITIONS: moderate

Geocache: none

NS Atlas Page: 67/Z4
NS topo map: 011D12 (Halifax)

***NOTE:Davidsons Brook flows between two separate private properties. PLEASE STAY WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THE BROOK AND STAY OFF THE HOMEOWNERS' LAND. Feel free to stop and talk with the homeowners if you wish, the elderly woman I spoke to on the date of my visit was a lovely woman, sitting in her lawn chair by the brook below the main falls. Please do not just take the easiest route across their property to the falls site uless you first gain their permission. ***

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: from Halifax, take EXIT1K, southbound onto Northwest Arm Drive (HWY3). Drive 3.6km and turn right onto Old Sambro Road (HWY306) ((signed for Harrietsfield and Williamswood)). Follow Old Sambro Rd 450m and then turn left onto Dentith Rd. After another 450m, take a right onto Herring Cove Rd. (there is a TimHortons to your left.. just saying..) Follow Herrnig Cove Rd 8.7km to Ashley Drive on your left hand side. Turn left onto this short road and park off to the right hand side before the gate. 

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: Walk back up onto Herring Cove Rd and approach the brook as it passes underneath the road. Follow as close to brookside as you can, crossing directly over the private driveway that the brook flows beneath and immediately back down to the brook. The was is quite rocky ,so be careful of slippery rocks and a few places require minimal climbing/descent capabilities. 

This short hike along Davidsons Brook leads right out to Halifax Harbour. The falls carve a notch through the erosion resistant bedrock in a pretty horsetail type plunge, spreading out as it crosses the rockface. A small 3foot steep cascade lays above the falls which leads into a long and powerful chute above the main falls. A further smaller 4-5foot cascade is below the falls, just before the brook empties into the Harbour. 

THE DEVILS JAWS

Upper Rawdon, Hants County
N 44° 59.378 W 063° 45.009 
UTM: 20T E 440866 N 4982072

RIVER: Herbert River

CLASS: steep cascades

SIZE: , 8', 6', 6'

RATING: very nice (***1/2)

TRAIL: old woods road/bushwhacking

DISTANCE: 3km

HIKING TIME: 2hours

CONDITIONS: moderate

Geocache: GC10XBZ

NS Atlas Page: 58/X1

NS topo map: 011D13 (Mt. Uniacke)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: from Windsor, take EXIT5 off HWY101, heading eastward on HWY14, towards the village of Brooklyn (Newport). Drive 8.6km and turn left at the war memorial to remain on HWY14 (signed for Walton/Milford/Truro). Continue a further 750m and take a slight right at the top of the hill (at the PetroCanada gas station and convenience store) to remain on HWY14.. Continue along this road for 28.4km and make a hairpin turn to the right onto HWY354, immediately past an old service station. Drive along HWY254 for 9.6km, watching for an old road on the right just before a slight turn to the left. Park just beyond, well of the road.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: follow the old road into Parkers Meadows, and when you reach the Herbert River, follow the trails through the woods upstram about 1km to the Devils Jaws. This area is part of the proposed 2900 ha Devils Jaws Wilderness Area. The going is fairly easy right up to the brook and decent trails exist along this 3km hike into the Devil's Jaws. 

Also known as Three Steps Down, this set of falls features three short plunges and step cascades that fall into separate deep stillwaters before dropping over the next fall. The Devils Jaws are a pristine place within Nova Scotia's wilderness and with the proposed Wilderness Area designation for the surrounding region along the Herbert River and Long Lake, and is soon to be a protected habitat for the Canada Warbler, Rusty Blackbird, Olive-sided Flycatcher and the Wood Turtle, all of which are listed in the federal "species-at-risk" program. 

photo: Robert Pierrynowski (2009)

CHEVERIE FALLS

Cheverie, Hants County
N 45° 08.420 W 064° 11.465 
20T 406353mE 4999229mN

RIVER: unnamed Brook

CLASS: steep cascades

SIZE: , 18'

RATING: average (***1/2)

TRAIL: dirt road

DISTANCE: 250m

HIKING TIME: 15 minutes

CONDITIONS: moderate

Geocache: none

NS Atlas Page: 47/Y3

NS topo map: 021H01 (Wolfville)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: from Windsor, take EXIT5 and follow the ruondabout onto Wentworth Rd, headed east. Follow the highway 5.8km and then turn left onto HWY14. Continue along 4.2km int the village of Brooklyn, turning left at the war memorial to remain on WHY14. (Signed for Walton, Milford and Truro). Drive 750m, to the top of the hill, and continue straight at the Petro-Canada service station onto HWY215. Follow this road to its conclusion, which is a T-Intersection. Stay left to remain on HWY215. Drive 23.2km (from the PetroCanada) along the shoreline drive towards Cheverie, watching for a small marker stone on the left hand side demarking the Avonview Cemetery. Turn left onto this small dirt access road and park at the cemetery.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION: follow the road from the cemetery to where the unnamed brook, which empties out from the Cheverie quarry recreation site (a great place for a quick and COLD dip on a hot summer day), crosses under the road. Head down into the ravine onthe downstream side of the brook, where you will find the falls and the drystone built remains of the former millsite. 

STARKS LAKE BROOK CASCADES

St. Croix, Hants County
N 44° 56.018 W 064° 02.613 
UTM: 20T E 417657 N 4976107

RIVER: Starks Lake Brook

CLASS: cascades

SIZE: , 8'

RATING: average (***)

TRAIL: upstream/bushwhacking

DISTANCE: 400m

HIKING TIME: 30 minutes

CONDITIONS: moderate

Geocache: none

NS Atlas Page: 57/Z2

NS topo map: 021A16 (Windsor)

DRIVING DIRECTIONS: Take EXIT4 from HWY101, travelling west along the Evangeline Trail (HWY1) for 2.1km, turning left onto Salmon Hole Dam Road (just past the bridge at St. Croix Dam Falls). Follow this road 2.4km to where Starks Lake Brook crosses underneath the road, and park.

TRAIL DESCRIPTION:Hike upstream or along the side of the brook to these small cascades. While not the largest of falls, the mature forest surrounding you is quite stunning, and the continued hike up to Starks Lake beyond the cascades leads to ample fishing oppurtunities.