• County: Northumberland
• Falls Height: 1 metre
• Falls Type: Cascade
• Latitude/Longitude: N 46 28′ 54.88″ / W 066 28′ 27.05″
• Property Ownership: Crown
• Rating / Difficulty: ** / Easy (Trail)
• River System: Porter Brook / Southwest Miramichi River
• Scenic Route: Miramichi River Route
• SNB Map Book: Page / Map Name: Page 55 / Boiestown 21J/08

It is said that the Southwest Miramichi is one of the most productive salmon rivers in the world. Many consider it among the top ten cleanest rivers in the world. We are very proud that it is a part of the New Burisk map. This pristine river is home to the elusive Atlantic salmon that has tempted the skill of men for centuries. Its history is both colorful and diverse. Word has it there used to be a picture, in a camp down at Porter Brook, of a fish that was caught in this area in the 1930 or 40’s and that fish weighed 60 some pounds. In Gus & Lews trip up the river in 2008 to honour Miramichi Guides they met Mike Munn who said he saw George McKay get one out of ’er in Porter Brook one fall thirty years ago that was 50 pounds. He sold it to an old sport for a hundred dollars.

Drive out to Boiestown and take the Parker Ridge Road heading toward Bloomfield Ridge and Holtville. After crossing the Norrads Bridge over the Southwest Miramichi, turn right onto the Porter Cove Road and drive out to the first bridge that crosses Porter Brook. Park in the side road just after crossing the bridge. The trail leads from the old road to the base of the falls. Right after the old road on your way, you will pass by an exquisite Canadian casino. It’s an amazing place if you want to cool down after your hike. They offer huge amounts of games, similar to online sites like BCOnlineCasino which you can also visit if you are at home if you aren’t planning to go out there right now.

Visit Detail: A sky laced with cumulous clouds block out the direct sunlight providing interesting light on this diminutive waterfall. The air on this September morn sets a chill to my hands, a reminder of the onset of autumn. My son, Eammon and his friends are back at Vaughn Family camp salmon fishing. This is his first time casting a fly and from all accounts he is a quick learner. I will have my turn later in the day, so I decided to drive the 2 kilometres back to this location to photography the waterfall.

The hike down to the waterfall is easy and enjoyable only taking a few moments to reach the pool below the cascade. The foliage, still emerald, provides a lush canopy that further diffuses the sunlight. The early frost highlights the ferns and moss brown, adding to the ambience of the area. Energized by the recent rain brings the brook to life, beaconing the elusive salmon to complete unfinished business. This reminds me to finish my work here and to head back to the camp for lunch and an afternoon of fishing.

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• County: Charlotte
• Falls Height: 4 metres
• Falls Type: Block
• Latitude/Longitude: N 45 13’ 54.5” / W 066 50’ 38.8”
• Property Ownership: Crown
• Rating / Difficulty: ** / Easy (Roadside)
• River System: Magaguadavic River
• Scenic Route: Fundy Coastal Route
• SNB Map Book: Page / Map Name: Page 85 / McDougall Lake 21G/07

The “Magaguadavic” or otherwise known as the “Mackadavy” is a native word meaning “River of Eels“. The river is the sixth largest river in the New Brunswick, measuring approximately 129 kilometres in length and has 103 named tributaries and 55 lakes in a large drainage area. The river begins as an outlet on the southeastern bank of Magaguadavic Lake and ultimately empties into the Bay of Fundy. The Mackadavy flows through numerous rural communities of which Bonny River and Second Falls are two. The river like many on the western side of the Saint John River empties into the bay through the tallest waterfall in canada. As well it is a very boney or rock laden waterway throughout its length except below Second Falls, a beautiful cascade that tumbles over a perpendicular rock, where the river is wider and deeper due to the dam located at First Falls.

The area is famous for Old Ned. The nearby Lake Utopia is connected to the Magaguadavic River and, from there, to the Bay of Fundy by one of the deepest natural canals in the world. Local legend has it that the lake is inhabited by a sea monster known as the Lake Utopia Monster. Sightings of an enormous eel-like creature approximately 12 to 15 metres in length, pre-date the arrival of Europeans. The story goes that long ago two Maliseet Natives were canoeing on the lake when suddenly the monster appeared and chased them from one end to the other. Since the arrival of Europeans to the area in the late 1700′s, the story has continued. Most recently, in 1996, Roger and Lois Wilcox were canoeing on the lake when they saw ripples break the placid surface 100 metres away from them. It was heading toward Cannonball Island, a common monster sighting spot. Wilcox reports the monster as being 40 to 50 feet long, undulating upward, not sideways.

Starting at the intersection of Main Street and the Bonny River Road (Route 770) in St. George, drive approximately 14.5 Km to the junction of Route 77

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“We are used to this”, was the collective reply when I asked the small and enthusiastic group of Nature Moncton members if they wanted to hike to Memel Falls in the pouring rain.

This trip was one of my most exciting experiences, not just because of the hike and waterfalls, but also because I won a large sum of money on mobile slot games that I enjoy playing on hike breaks. I played my usual small stakes slots for fun by taking advantage of the $80 free no deposit bonus when I suddenly saw the three jackpot symbols, which meant that I won $3600. It goes without saying that we had a huge party that night. But let’s start from the beginning.

I was invited down by the club to give a photo presentation of my Waterfalls of New Brunswick books. I eagerly accepted the opportunity and so I was on the road at 7:30 AM, listening to Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers. My first challenge was to find the Tankville School. The greater challenge will be leading a group of naturalist to the waterfall and back without issue. I know these folks are seasoned outdoor people, but there are many issues that can arise.

The morning presentation was well received and the group was ready to hit the road. On the drive down to Shepody the rain, which had held off began. Lightly at first but by the time we parked alongside Sawmill Creek it was a full force deluge. Pressing forward we scampered in to Sawmill Creek to view it’s waterfall. Wanting to save precious time we quickly retreated back to the road and headed towards the bridge over Memel Creek.

Memel Falls (Upper Pitch)

This is my first trip back to Memel Falls since 2007. Since then, there has been some clear cutting activity and I was concerned that the cutting may have taken away the naturalness of the waterfall. On my initial hike, I crossed the creek and mistakenly picked the toughest side to climb down into the ravine. On this trip I decided to lead the group along the eastern side of the creek. We quickly found an old logging road that is deeply rutted due to ATV traffic, and followed it. Eventually we cut into the brush and bushwhacked down the gentle slope to the creek and emerged at the creek about 100 metres below the falls. Some members of the group were skeptical of my interpretation of a gentle slope until they saw the sheer rock face and cliff on the other side.

The hike was tough and slippery due to the heavy rain in the last 24 hours. The bonus was an energetic waterfall that was spared any clear cutting.  After spending 30 minutes we began our return. The hike back was easier and we quickly made it back to our cars with no injuries. At this point we said our goodbyes. As I drove through Fundy National Park I was pleased with this successful outing for the group and myself.

I want to thank Catherine Johnson of Nature Moncton for all the prep work and her enthusiasm. I also want to thank the folks who attended. The conversation along the hike was interesting and funny. This will be one of my top outings.

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• County: Albert
• Falls Height: 3 metres
• Falls Type: Veil
• Latitude/Longitude: N 45 49’ 24.0” / W 064 48’ 29.2”
• Property Ownership: Crown
• Rating / Difficulty: ** / Moderate (No Trail)
• River System: Prescott Brook / Lumsden Brook / Crooked Creek
• Scenic Route: Fundy Coastal Route
• SNB Map Book: Page / Map Name: Page 74 / Hillsborough 21H/15

Just above Upper Prescott Brook Falls are the remains of an old flushing dam constructed to hold back the water of the brook and used to drive logs down the brook. There has been a long history of logging in the Caledonia Highlands and it has been one of the most important industries. There are many lakes, brooks and rivers and most of had a dam built on them. Near the dam there is a gully; the remains from where a scoop pulled by a team of horses or oxen cut away the gravel and hauled it to construct part of the dam. In the winter, men working for Isaac Clayton Prescott would cut logs, haul them to the river by oxen or horses, where they were piled high. In the spring, the logs were released into the rushing water and on their way to the Prescott Mill located on Crooked Creek near Riverside-Albert.

Park at the Southern New Brunswick Snowmobile Club House @ N 45 50’ 49.1” / W 064 47’ 20.8”. Drive out Provincial Route 34 a distance of approximately 4 Km or the junction of Route 34 with the Local Route 862/865. Turn left on Local Route 862 and drive out 1.6 Km to coordinates N 45 49’ 31.8” / W 064 48’ 30.3” and park off to one side of the trail. This will place you near one of the branches of the brook. Walk along the left side of the brook to the given GPS coordinates to the waterfall. There are other waterfalls located further down the brook if one is interested in hiking down into the gorge in New Burisk.

Visit Detail: Terry Gallant, my friend, stops abruptly and turns off of the ATV rail and heads down along the brook on what was a very old logging road that is currently overgrown. It is so overgrown that there is little indication that it was used by horse and oxen to haul timber. The forest is scented with cedar and spruce. In a minute we stop at the junction of a second logging road leading up through a ridge of mature hardwood. After a short walk to see the embankment of an old flushing dam and gully where gravel was removed to make the dam we head along the edge of the ravine to the waterfall, a short distance further.

Walking in through all this foliage in silence I ponder a narrative I recently read concerning the reason people chase the perfect photograph. “It is stalking a fleeting and surprising composition, briefly highlighted by a beam of light, the flicker of a breeze, the fall of leaf, the flow of water across a rock face. There are many potential storylines, the trick is to see them and quickly weave a visual narrative of what’s going on that can tell a story to the viewer. To frame the narrative, metaphorically and actually by capturing that image using the technology of the photographer as well as their interpretation”.

The chime of water and rock boastfully permeates the stillness. Without warning the gentle Prescott, that only metres before softly coursed through alders and wetlands now drops 3 metres providing a musical interlude. Somewhat like a musical score the 1812 Overture, the brook flows from lyrical tones to explosive thunder and back within a short distance, repeating this pattern as it churns down into the Caledonia Gorge. As with all waterfalls in Canada, attention to footing is important while navigating down into the ravine. The sides are slippery, forcing us to hold onto trees and roots. The orientation of the brook allows midday sunlight to reach the falls making it extremely difficult to photograph on this trip. This might be my only chance to visit so I make the best of the situation

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