Laverty Falls

Waterfall Detail: Laverty Falls flows across a rock face opening up to form a veil or bridal falls very similar to that found at Welsford. The brook makes a sharp left hand turn as it tumbles over a bedrock face. Tit then constricted between cliffs and large boulders before dropping over the rock face. The draping effect of the waterfall is majestic to say the least. This is an outstanding location to visit.  Visitors can access the falls from the top or bottom of the falls. If visiting in the summertime, expect company! If visiting in spring expect a plethora of wild flowers across the forest floor along the trail.

From the northern entrance to the Fundy National Park near Wolfe Lake drive about 12 km along route 114. Look for Laverty Road on the left and follow it to its end at a large parking area. The trailhead is marked at the far end of the clearing next to the parking lot.

From the trailhead the hike begins a long descent through an old growth forest. There are massive old silver birch, maple and beech trees standing sentential over the newer growth. It is not until the trail begins to slope further down that makeup of the forest changes to white pine, spruce, cedar and balsam fir changing the complexion from and open expansive feeling to one that is cloistered. The trail leads to a viewpoint at the top of Laverty Falls. The trail continues down to the foot of the falls where you can access the riverbank and view the falls from the bottom.

If one wishes, they can continue to hike along the brook until it meets the Salmon River and eventually make a loop back to the parking location.

Visit Detail: On my first hike to Laverty I was with Roy Stillwell of Fredericton. Roy and I have hiked to a few other waterfalls in the past and on Thanksgiving Weekend in 2009 we decided to enjoy the holiday with a day hike to Laverty, Dickson & Third Vault Falls. It was a long day but very enjoyable.

The pictures posted are from a second set of hikes in Fundy Park in the summer of 2010. On this trip I am with my friend Gary LeClair of Sudbury Ontario and by this time in the day we had already hiked Dickson Falls and drove out to Forty Five River Falls.

This is one of my favorite hiking trails in the park. The rich forest canopy and scattered clouds shade out most of the sun making the walk comfortable. The air is clean and invigorating. We hardly exchange a word as we move along. We are both engaged in our wonderment of this beautiful trail. Meager rays of sunlight making it to the forest floor highlight summer flowers. Chipmunks, chattering in conversation scurry back and forth through the undergrowth showing their displeasure without presence.

We are both amazed by transition from hardwood to softwood. It just seems to happen quickly, indicating we are close to the falls. Arriving at the waterfall we find ourselves amongst several other visitors. With this in mind I am determined to photograph the wonderment without people in the picture. Patience is a virtue of which I sometime do not have, but here and now I must bid my time until the right moment.

On the way back from the falls the threaten rain finally arrive. We are both pretty wet by the time we reach the parking lot and the end of the shower. Dried off and a quick lunch we drive to our next destination; Third Vault Falls.