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River

Stoney Creek

Class

Plunge

Size

Small

Visitability

Average

Accessibility

Free

Activity

Quiet

Walk Time

5min

Trail

Moderate

Gorge Access

Difficult

Other Trails

some

County

Hamilton

Exit the QEW at Centennial Parkway in Stoney Creek and go south to King St West. Turn left on King St. and drive to Mountain Ave. Turn right on Mountain Ave and drive to the little parking lot at the very end of the road. Follow the short trail to the waterfall. NOTE: It's possible that I have the incorrect road: if there is no parking lot at the end of Mountain Ave, go back to King St, turn right and then turn right at New Mountain Rd. Follow this road to Leslie Dr. and follow Leslie Dr to the end.

Settlement

Stoney Creek

NTS Map

30 M/4

Easting

600908

Northing

4785099

UTM Zone

The lower falls at Devil's Punchbowl is nowhere near as spectacular as the upper falls, being only about 1/4 of the height at most. This falls however is one of the best examples of the plunge class waterfall. Note the prominent layer of sandstone at the crest of the waterfall, and observe how the weaker shale layers underneath have eroded under the sandstone. Over time, the shale will continue to be eroded and the overhanging sandstone will become too heavy to support itself. When this occurs, it will break along a fracture plane, and send a large block to the base of the falls. Some of these large blocks can be seen littering the stream below the falls.

Be sure to walk upstream on the path along the river to see the much larger upper falls. It's just a few minutes' hike.

This waterfall is featured in the print version of the "Watefalls of Ontario.