Dawson Brook Falls

Location: Williams Street, Ellershouse
Hiking Time: Less than 5 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Size: 30'

Directions

-If you are driving to Ellershouse from Halifax, take exit 4 off the highway and turn right onto the Evangeline trail.
-Take a right onto Dawson Rd.
-Take another right onto Ellershouse Rd.
-Immediately after you drive under the overpass take a left onto Williams Street. This street does not seem to be marked. You can use google maps if you are unsure.
-Follow this road and keep left where it forks. After you cross the bridge drive for 2.3kms. You will notice blue and red flagging tape on your right. Follow that road.
-After about 1km you will see another road off to your right. There will be two posts that look like shortened telephone polls. Follow this road to its conclusion and you will see a path that leads down to the falls.

Trail Description

Simply walk down to the falls from here. This area is sometimes used by hunters so wear orange when venturing out during hunting season (I almost drove over a hunter's gun the first time I came here)! The interesting part about these falls is the staircase formation carved out of the rock. Although not one of the largest falls you'll see, it is worth the visit if you're in the neighborhood. Pictures of these falls were taken during the dry period this summer. I will add more pictures later once the water levels return to normal.

Falls during a dry period

McInnis Brook Falls (aka Silence Falls)

Location: Mines Rd. in West Gore
Hiking Time: 15 minutes one way
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Size: 30'

Directions

-Drive to the town of Brooklyn and turn left (if you are coming from the glooscap trail) at the war memorial onto highway 215
-Follow highway 215 past the Irving station until you come to a T intersection and turn right (onto Highway 236).
-Follow Highway 236 for about 20km until you get to Clarksville where you will make a right turn onto highway 202.
-Follow highway 202, staying to your left, until you come to Mines Rd (it will be a fairly sharp right turn onto a dirt road).
-Follow this road about 1km and park just beyond where the stream crosses the road. You may have to pay attention because it's not obvious at first glance. There is also a little road or pathway on the left you'll notice where the trail starts. You'll notice here is a house on the right just before this.
-Park along the side of the road.

Trail Description 

Follow the trail along the right side of the stream until it ends. At this point just pick a spot that seems suitable and descend to the stream, following it until you reach the falls. You will either have to climb up the hill and around the stream at some points or get your feet wet, the choice is yours.

During a dry spell

Ettinger Falls

Location: Three Mile Plains
Hiking Time: 10 minutes each way
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1km
Size:  35'

Directions

-From the 101 highway take exit 5 and head west towards Garland's Crossing.
-Drive to the T intersection (you will see an Irving station) and turn left onto Evangeline Trail.
-Follow the road a short distance until you see Three Mile Plains Cross Rd and turn right onto it.
-Turn right on Windsor Back Rd.
-Drive a short distance past Mason's Apples and you will see an unmarked dirt road between two houses.
-Drive a short distance down this dirt road past a house and park on the right before the gate.

NOTE: The gate is open quite often but will close at random and I hear it's a hefty fine if you get locked inside the gate. Please do not risk getting locked inside, just park before the gate and take the nice easy walk up to the falls.

Trail Description

Once parked at the gate, simply walk approximately 800 meters up the dirt road until you are at the top of the hill. You will hear the waterfall once you're at the right spot (there are a lot of off trails that may confuse some). Once you hear it just head left into the woods, it's not far at all and you will be rewarded with a tranquil little place the locals like to go for the occasional dip. There is a rope swing here as of September 2016. As always please use caution when using any ropes, bridges, etc when hiking. Locals frequent this place more often now that it's gained a bit more popularity so I recommend going before noon if you prefer to have the place to yourself.

View from the summit

Me climbing