Waterfall Details: Approximately 100 metres to the west of Saint Paddy’s Falls is this waterfall with no name. Draining Kerrs Lake the Kerr Brook meets the brook that forms Saint Paddy’s Falls further down near the Route 1. Eventually the entire waterway converges with the Bocabec River before empting into the Bay of Fundy. The Kerr Brook is home to two larger waterfalls located further up the stream near the lake. The forest located closer to Route 1 will be clear-cut in a few years to make room to expand the highway to 4 lanes. I believe this waterfalls and Saint Paddy’s are outside the new alignment.
Visit Detail: I photographed the waterfall in May 2008 while in the area to photograph Saint Paddy’s Falls for my first book, Waterfalls of New Brunswick. The general feeling of well being combined with fresh spring scents urged me forward to take a few extra minutes to follow the brook for 100 or so yards. I was pleased to find this diminutive waterfall. I later spoke to a friend who lived in the area about the waterfalls and he informed me of the other waterfalls located further up the brook.
Update (August 2010): The twinning of Route 1 has removed most of the beautiful trail leading to this waterfall. The fall’s itself is untouched, but can now be seen from the edge of the clear cut for the new road. Caution is advised if you are visiting.
Waterfall Detail: A roadside gem near Bocabec in Charlotte County, Saint Paddy’s falls flows across the bedrock forming an enchanting waterfall. The falls is located on the west facing side of Kerr Ridge. Just 100 metres up the Kerr Ridge Road from Route 1 is an access road that leads down toward the brook. Just down the access road is a parking area. Follow the access road until you find the path on the right hand side that leads into the woods.
The path follows along a ridgeline until it begins to drop down into a large bowl shaped area. Near the northern edge of the bowl is Saint Paddy’s Falls. If the trail cannot be found continue hiking down to the brook and follow the east side of the brook up to the waterfall.
Visit Detail: On a warm Sunday afternoon in May, Marlaine and I drove down to Charlotte County in search of the waterfalls. I found directions on the internet. The description said it was a special place. We could not agree more.
Walking along the ridge on a rich bed of pine needles we could see the white water spilling over the edge of the rock face. This early in May the foliage has yet to fill in making it easy to see the waterfalls from a distance. This will change by summer. The trail is well trodden indicating the popularity of the area.
Once in the large bowl it became very apparent of how special this waterfall is. Graced by an over story of mixed hardwood and softwood the waterfall captivates it’s audience. Flowing majestically across the rock face producing a veil of white water. Saint Paddy’s Fall is easily accessible by both young and old.
Falls Detail: Second Falls Mary Pitcher is located approximately 500 metres up from Mary Pitcher Falls. It is formed by an upper section that cascades for approximately 15 meters and drops approximately 30 meters over this run, a predominant middle section dropping 20 meters straight down into a small basin at the base which into turns pours over a lower section of 3 meters before rushing towards the Big Salmon River.
The easiest way to drive to Mary Pitcher Brook is to drive out from Sussex Corner towards Hammondvale. Head east from Hammondvale on the Shepody Road until crossing over the small bridge spanning Felix Brook. A short distance later Felix Brook Road is on the right. From here to the dead-end is 11 km. The road is very rough in sections.
Visit Detail: This was our third attempt to see Mary Pitcher Falls and we were determined to see this spectacular falls. We arrived at Adairs Wilderness Lodge for breakfast and to ascertain information on the best route. I had a topographical map ready with two routes mapped out only to learn from Larry Adair that one of the routes was no longer used by vehicles and impassable and the other had a bridge washed out by a recent rain. He suggested taking the Felix Brook Road, which was an alternate route to the fall, but had no idea of its condition due to the rain.
Undaunted, we drove west on the Shepody road (gravel) encountering several washouts and sections that where rough. We stopped to look at the church and old graveyard in Londonderry marveling that there once was a small community here. Just beyond the church is the Felix Brook Road (N45 35’ 16.6” / W65 26’ 02.0”). The drive in was relatively easy with only one or two areas where we had to drive around or over large rocks. The road, twist and turns near the end in order to circumnavigate a few swampy areas and dead-ends just 100 meters from Mary Pitcher Stream.
Since I had the GPS coordinates for the falls we bushwhacked the 1000 meters along the east side of the stream. Making our way slowly southward and down we eventually emerged onto an old logging road that leads directly to the top of the main falls. From here there is a spectacular view out over the edge and back towards the upper section. There is a side trail leading straight down the escarpment and at points along the climb down the falls is immediately next to us. This aspect of the falls is remarkable because we could reach out and touch the falling water if we dared.
Falls Detail: Albert County has an abundance of stream and creeks flowing down from the Fundy Uplands of which Memel Creek is one. The Fundy Uplands as well as the rest of the province was formed by continental drift that produced mountain peaks as lofty as the Himalayans. These ancient mountains were later reshaped and worn down by the extreme pressure of a mile thick glacier. The transfiguration continued when the Laurentian Ice shield began to retreat leaving low flat hills, deep valleys and a province defined by water. The province is still being defined by water and nowhere is this more prevalent than in the Fundy Eco-region.
Memel Creek Falls continues to define the geometry of Albert County. This tiered falls cuts through the granite escarpment producing several deep pools.
From Hopewell drive out the Memel Road to the Y in the road, approximately 4 km. Continue driving up the right hand road a distance of 700 meters until reaching a wood bridge across the Memel Creek. Turn just before the bridge and park. On the left there is a trail into the woods that leads to the creek and further down approximately 200 – 300 meters to the falls.
Visit Detail: I am sitting in the back of the SUV with my legs hanging out writing a visit log when a dog appears and begins to check me out. Then Kevin Dixon and his children appear out of nowhere. They are on their way back from a walk in the woods on this glorious day. I was very surprised to meet another person this far back in the woods. Within minutes I am informed of a second fall not far from where I am located and that the falls I just photographed is Sawmill Creek Falls and not Memel Creek Falls.
Following Kevin’s direction I found myself hiking down the west side of Memel Creek to the falls only to determine that access to the base would require navigating along the edge of the ravine a further 100 meters. The additional distance provided a safe route down and a short hike back up to the bottom most falls. Hopping from rock to rock I crossed the creek to gain a quality location to photograph the waterfalls with five drops down through the ravine. Memel Creek Falls are superb and a must visit for waterfalls enthusiast. From looking at the topology of the region I can safely speculate there are many more falls of similar size and nature as Memel.
Falls Detail: Sawmill Creek Falls is very well concealed by the geology of the bedrock. Located in Albert County, Sawmill Creek flows is a southeasterly direction to converge with Memel Creek. This part of the county is on the eastern section of the Caledonia Mountains. The creek at this location has cut a deep notch into the hills, with the east side of the creek having a gentle slope and the west side on the other hand a very steep escarpment running several hundred meters as the creek twist and winds through the country side. The creek falls over the ledge into a small pool then turns shapely to the left and then right again around a large rock outcrop before tumbling over several ledges.
From Route 114 in Hopewell Hill, drive out the Memel Road a distance of approximately 4 km to a Y in the road. The last 2 km’s is gravel. On the left hand road there is a stop sign for ATV’s and a sign for Rock’s View Variety and trails leading to the falls. Park here and take the trail leading west towards the creek. The only way down to the falls at this point is rappel down using a rope that is tied to a tree.
Visit Detail: The best location to photograph the falls is from the west side of the creek and unfortunately the path leading to the area is from the east. The geological deformity producing the weakest path for the falls to form is hidden from view until I hiked to an observation point on the west.
I used the available rope to rappel down into the narrow ravine only to realize that there was absolutely no position to photograph the falls. I rappelled back out and made my way a few hundred meters up along the east side of the creek to a location where I could cross safely and have access to a gentle slope up the opposite side of the creek. Bushwhacking my way along the edge of the ravine I could see the creek 20 meters below and finally reached a gentle sloping area that facilitated a safe trek down to a fantastic vantage point.
As the sun began to cast long shadows on the trees to my east, I decided it was time to leave my vantage point and head back to my SUV to write a short visit report and head back to the main road.
Falls Detail: Drive to the village of Riverside Albert via Route 114 and then take the Forestdale Road a distance of 1.7 km, up towards the Crooked Creek Lookout. At the access to the lookout there is a road on the left that leads down towards the valley and then take the 2028 snowmobile road when it splits again near the bottom. Park here and walk down to the creek and cross over via the bridge and then follow the ATV trail to the falls.
Take a few extra minutes to drive to the lookout and walk to the observation platform to take in the beautiful Caledonia Mountains and the deep notch Crooked Creek has etched into the mountains.
The creek narrows substantially at the waterfalls causing the creek to squeeze through the notch in the bedrock. The creek accelerates at this point and gushes down and outward into a large pool at the base.
Visit Detail: I drove out to Crooked Creek on Thanksgiving Day and was unaware of the lookout. After parking, I decided to walk the short distance up to the lookout and was very surprised by the spectacular scenery this area has to show. There were 20 or so people out enjoying this beautiful day and the scenery.
I walked down to the Honda and plugged in the GPS coordinates only to determine that the falls was approximately 200 meters down over the ridge. Instead of following the directions I had found on the Internet I decided to hike down over the ridge into the gorge to the falls. What amazed me was how the creek found the weakest fissure in the bedrock and then etched a narrow pathway through. There is a second but smaller falls at the exit from the large pool. The geology of the area is also spectacular. These falls are not high or wide but none the less they are unique and well worth the struggle back up from the gorge.
Falls Detail: Access to Dickson Falls is via a pleasant walk through mixed forest with ferns, mosses, and a scenic creek. The creek cascades over the rock ledges of Dickson Falls as sunshine penetrate the gorge through the trees. Trails to the falls are easy to access as there is a boardwalk with excellent vantage points along the way. The fall is nestled by large hardwood and softwood trees that maintain moisture rich air.
From Alma enter Fundy National Park and at the park administration site follow the road to Wolfe Point. The trailhead is well marked on the roadway. Fundy National Park is situated in the Caledonia Highlands of southeastern New Brunswick. It was established in 1948 and covers an area of 206 sq. km along the rugged Bay of Fundy coast. Dickson Falls in Fundy National Park is a 1.5 km loop trail with a boardwalk and stairs along brook, with a scenic waterfall within a wooded section of the park.
Visit Detail: I drove down to the Fundy National Park on Thanksgiving Day to photograph Dickson Falls and few other waterfalls I had information about. This was my third or fourth time visiting the falls and each time it presents different characteristics. With the autumn leaves and the afternoon sunshine the creek sparkled and danced over the rock face. There were several families walking along the trails and boardwalk leading to and from the falls on this beautiful but cool afternoon.
From my research about the falls it is probably the most visited and photographed of the falls in the park. Behind Grand Falls it is most likely the most popular with visitors to New Brunswick. This stunning waterfall is possibly the most visited and photographed of the falls in Fundy National Park and mostly like New Brunswick.
Falls Detail: Located up river from the lower falls, the Upper Wallace Falls cascades through a narrow channel and slides into small holding pool. The Quiddy River is similar to all in the area, it is boney, there are large boulders scattered throughout its length. The area is very easy to access with a trail leading to the falls from the eastside of the river.
See Lower Wallace Falls for directions.
Visit Detail: I was surprised to find two waterfalls within close proximity. I had seen pictures of the falls and it turned out to be the lower falls. So to find a second falls was most definitely a bonus. Our visit was late in the fall so there was very little color remaining and only the most stubborn leaves still holding on to their trees. I made my way to an outcrop in the middle of the river to photograph the falls. Over my left shoulder several meters away is the lower falls.
Falls Detail: There are several falls on the Nail Factory Stream in a relatively short distance with three of note. The Lower Nail Factory Falls is one of the more impressive. The stream tumbles down from the center of the Kingston Peninsula to the Kennebecasis River. The ravine is very well shaded from the reach of the sun and therefore has plenty of moss and lichen growing along its sides and is oxygen rich.
From Fredericton, drive to the Westfield Ferry and when arriving at the peninsula head south on route 845 passing through Lands End, Bayswater and Summerville. The road to the falls is on the left and there is a parking area just after entering the road. Nail Factory Road is approximately 1 km west of Moss Glen Shore Road and leads down towards the Kennebecasis River.
Visit detail: I drove down to the bottom of the road and then walked down and over the steep embankment to the stream. From here I hiked up the stream to the base of the Lower Nail Factory Falls. It was the end of a long day of visiting waterfalls and I was pleasantly surprised with this falls. Thanks for the large amount of rain delivered by the recent hurricane there was sufficient amount of water cascading over the granite outcrops.
Falls Detail: Tracy Falls is almost totally enclosed by sheer granite walls except for a narrow passage that permits the stream to flow out to meet up with the Black River further down the mountain. The plunges through a narrow notch 10 meters into a dark pool and because of the enclosure the bowl is very humid and cool and the immediate area is covered with luscious green moss and lichen. The actual top of the falls is yet another 6 meters above what can be seen from the bottom. By trekking up around the bowl to the top the upper most portion can be seen. It consists of two smaller drops prior to plunging over the precipices on its tumble down from Baxter Mountain.
From Saint John Airport head towards St. Martins on Route 111 looking for Taylor Lake Road on the left. Turn onto the road and drive past the lake to a location where the road splits into three roads. Take the right most and drive or walk approximately 1.4 km to where the stream passes under the road via a culvert. Take the path alongside the stream up to the falls a distance of 100 meters.
Visit Detail: Of all the falls I have visited this year Tracy Falls is by far the most unique. Usually I can hear the telltale sound of waterfalls and see them when hiking towards them, but not with Tracy Falls. The melodious sound of the falls is muffled by the particular geological makeup of the area that channels the sound off into the woods and not down along the stream and the granite walls hide them from view until entering the small ravine via the narrow channel.
I hiked up out of the small ravine to the top of the falls and had a clear view of the hills far off towards Saint John. Peering over the edge provided a sense of how high these falls are and the unique shape of the ravine.
I drove out to within 400 meters of the falls and walked the remaining distance. The road is not muddy or soft but due to the amount of ATV traffic it has become almost impassable unless driving a vehicle with sufficient clearage.