Mystery Falls
Garden Clippings for November 14, 2020
Elm Tree Drive, the only way into Mystery Falls, is a single lane road. Once there, there is parking set up for 6 or 7 cars. The folks ahead of us were from Watford, and they too were not too sure where the trail began.
Understandably, Ausable Bayfield Conservation did not anticipate the Covid-19 pandemic, nor did they anticipate the hundreds or thousands of trail hungry visitors that would seek out Lambton County’s most intriguing trail.
This past Sunday, unusually warm weather beckoned Cheryl and I to seek out yet one more trail. We had heard of Mystery Falls from friends and decided to add it to our bucket list.
Two weeks earlier, we discovered Dundas Valley, just west of Hamilton, where 40 kilometers of trail is a “must see”. Dundas Valley is a largely untouched or uninterrupted native woodlot, showing almost no signs of invasive or introduced plants. Making Dundas Valley unique are the geological formations alongside lush forests and clean streams. The Disappearing Waterfall can be viewed by taking s short detour on one of Dundas Valley’s more than 10 trails.
Ausable Bayfield Conservation’s Mystery Falls is a little-known gem not far from Rock Glen. No doubt, locals and area farmers would like to keep it that way, because the sudden influx of city folks is impacting their quiet lives.
The beauty of Mystery Falls is that the trail system is not a well-established popular destination. There is no interpretive centre, no garbage cans, no washrooms, and no fancy signage. Trails are single file only, and are not padded with gravel or asphalt. Parking was very limited and ours was among the 30 or 40 cars haphazardly lined along the narrow roadway.
Access to Mystery Creek Crossing or falls was down a muddy slope and would be nearly impossible to tackle had it not been for a makeshift nylon rope tied to a tree above and a boulder below. There are two newly installed benches above the falls, presumable set up for parents who could keep an eye on their kids below.
I would visit Mystery Falls again in a heartbeat, even if only for a forest bathing session among the largest number of Beech Trees I have ever seen before. Beech, my favorite tree, is one of the dominant tree species in the area. Their fallen tan coloured leaves formed a dense blanket covering the forest floor. Other noteworthy plant species that I discovered were Ironwood, Witch Hazel and Trilliums.
Trekking through the trails of Mystery Falls area is not for the faint of heart. Sections of pathways are muddy, wet, steep, and rocky. For those considering a visit, I recommend not going solo because dialing 911 would not bring quick response. Bicycles, camping, campfires and motorized vehicles are a definite no-no, and dogs must be kept on leash.
