1.85 billion years ago scientists believe that a gigantic meteorite struck the area in Ontario now known as Sudbury. Onaping Falls is located in the fall-back area of the impact zone where debris filled the crater. The lookout area itself is named after one of the Group of Seven artists who featured this landscape in his “Spring on the Onaping River” painting that use to hang in a local high school but mysteriously disappeared in the mid 70’s.

Just off the highway (Hwy 144) near Windy Lake Provincial Park we pulled into the parking area a few days before we actually hiked it. We saw a covered pavilion that we thought would be a great place for a picnic lunch or even dinner one evening. Unfortunately the covered area was off limits to dogs! Well, if Maya isn’t welcome than we aren’t welcome.
At the main parking area we found nice bathrooms, picnic tables in wooded areas (very buggy) and there was even a geological walking tour where you could look at and read about different types of rocks that are found in the area and the nickel-copper ores that are also present.

As you can see from the second trail map, the trail is not maintained during the winter months and you should use it at your own risk.  The sign also informs potential hikers of the difficulty and the surface type. If you are hiking to the bridge from the parking lot, it is definitely not wheelchair accessible, nor is it recommended for senior dogs, elderly people or anyone who isn’t in pretty good shape. The trail down from the lookout area is very rugged.

This is the initial trail that will lead you to the lookout platform. It is smooth, wide and should be easy for almost all visitors.

Learn About Geology

Along the way be sure to stop and read this sign that tells you about the history of the area, including geological and cultural. There is a lot of great information here that will really give you a sense of what you are seeing and how better to experience it.

The trail becomes more narrow until it actually reaches a steep area of sharp boulders. We decided it was too treacherous for Maya to descend and traverse, so I took my camera and headed off alone to document the area.

There were many opportunities to see the falls, even the pavilion has an exceptional view. Along the trail I was able to capture the Onaping Falls, otherwise known as High Falls, from different heights and varying perspectives.

At various times the trail will lead hikers to the rocky edges of the Onaping River which allows them to gain extraordinary access to the falls. Many falls are not easily accessible but High Falls gives viewers an up close look. As you can see from the picture above, people continue to deface nature for their own gratification. Please respect the environment by not writing on rocks, cutting your initials into bark or by removing anything from the wild. As the adage go, “Take only pictures and leave only footprints”.

As the trail winds to and from the river’s edge, the Canadian Shield and mixed forest is truly breathtaking. Take some time to appreciate the varying landscapes and flora that you may not have at home. People come from all over the world to experience Canada’s natural areas and I am always very thankful that I live in such a place that I can go out into such places with such freedom and ease.

Capture The Falls

If you are videotaping or photographing the falls, be sure to walk around to see the different perspectives. Change your location, orientation and even your height to capture the beauty of this area.

Correction: Thanks to a reader for clarifying the above picture. The above was not caused by the meteorite strike that hit the Sudbury area, but more likely the result of a dynamite blast in order to remove rock ‘knobs’ that were preventing the passage of logs downstream more than 100 years ago. The reader explained that the sign at the lookout is wrong, but will be corrected for future users.

Everywhere I looked was beautiful along this trail. The day was bright and sunny with clouds that seemed to feather out along the sky. It was a fairly hot day, about 30 degrees Celsius, and I was glad to have brought a bottle of water with me. Across the bridge is the rest of the trail but I didn’t’ have time to explore it since Chitra and Maya were waiting for me back at the lookout. We had hoped to come back and hike it later but the weather didn’t permit it.

I would definitely recommend this trail to anyone who is capable of jumping over logs, climbing down an eroded edge and navigating down a boulder field. I would not take a dog from the main parking lot to the top of the falls, nor would I hike this part of the trail if it was wet because the rocks would certainly be very slippery. Make sure you bring your camera because the views are spectacular!

A.Y. Jackson Lookout, Sudbury Brochure

Sources:

“Spring on the Onaping River”. Boldts.net. Retrieved 2016-12-14.