Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Details:

Event Itinerary PDF. Note this version does not have my contact info on it, you have to PM me for that or receive a hard copy at the event.

What: Waterfalls: Winter Edition
When: Saturday, February 05
Time: 9:30AM until approximately 6PM Then food in Ancaster. (Sunset is approximately 5:30 and there will be people who want to shoot right up to and slightly after that)
Where: Undecided. West end cause that's where the Falls are silly. Probably Hilton Falls.
Bring: Dress warm! Seriously. Good walking/hiking shoes. Camera gear. ND Filters are a big big plus. Tripod. Parking $. And food money for post falls festivities.

Itinerary:

Hilton Falls 9:30AM

By the time the whole group that is coming to Hilton arrives, we get in there, shoot, hike back out I think it'll be at least 12:30. People may want a Tim's or something like that along the way to Webster's. After Webster's there is no set timeline. Each falls will take as long as it takes for a general group agreement that we've all got what we came for.

Webster's Falls
Tiffany Falls
Sherman Falls
Albion Falls
and maybe if there's time...
A super secret surprise waterfall!

We'll start at Hilton Falls. It's easy to get to and has the most walking although not too bad. With all the snow we got recently, the west end got more, it will be a hike through snow. Wear good boots and double up your socks! We will then head to Webster's Falls and the Webster's Falls area. The creek flowing from the falls is very pretty right now so a shoot of the falls followed by a shortish hike is a good idea. If you're not up to this hike, which can be challenging at times, you can walk over to the Tew's Falls observation deck. That's an easy walk and neat to look at but not particularly photographically appealing from the top. We WILL NOT be making a run at Lower Tew's or the Base of Upper Tew's. That's an event of its very own which I may create for another time. It's a very tough go though. Anyway. After Websters we'll head to Tiffany Falls. As per requested by Mike we'll hit Sherman Falls then Albion Falls in Hamilton Mountain. I think 5 is enough as it will likely be freaking cold and a bit slower going. If we need another we can add Felker's Falls. I will print an itinerary with small maps, GPS coordinates and mobile numbers so we don't have the same mix ups as last time. Unless there is a big change in the confirmed list I'm gonna print about 12-15 of these. If you're not coming to Hilton Falls PM me your email and I will send you a PDF of the itinerary. They'll go out Friday night at the latest.

If you are driving please state where you're coming from and if you have room in your car for another. A couple people that live in the city have PM'd me asking about rides and since I'll already be out that way I can't help. If you need a ride or can provide one please post that you do. I will have room in my car for 1 passenger provided they meet me in Burlington.

Parking fees: If there is someone manning the booth on Saturday admission to Hilton Falls will be at least $6.25. I say at least because they only have 2010 rates posted on their Web site. Webster's Falls is $6 per car.

Hopefully the weather cooperates and stays cold. Current forecast is for flurries accumulating to 1cm, wind 15km/h and a high of -2

I believe the stairs to Websters are closed in the winter?
I could be wrong though...

definitely not

can we skip Webster's? Please, please, please

Can we include Tew, please?
And maybe skip Albion too...

BTW, getting to the bottom of Felker is a decent trek under good conditions...if its snowy and/or icy, I could see someone losing their footing and ending up in the drink...
...the devil's punch bowl is a bit easier, if you park at the bottom...

we've done worse. I think this should be made a "extreme winter edition"

How long will we be out for Saturday? I need to go somewhere else at 5-6pm, if somehow this is changed to Sunday, I'll be there for sure

I know why PotatoEYE would like to skip Webster's, and I don't mind doing so myself, but to be fair to those making their way out it is one of the nicer falls and has a great surrounding area to shoot. FriendlyPiranha, you're perfectly welcome to stand at the top of Tew's and look, if you want to do the hike to the base you're also perfectly welcome. Make sure you bring food and water for the night and don't get killed by either of the men who live in shacks near there. I want to shoot Albion, I don't have a winter shot of it. We'll look at who wants to come and model the itinerary around as many people as possible getting some good shots. It's not fair to make 10 people, or more, wait while 2-3 people go on a treacherous hike they probably shouldn't. I hiked to the base of Tew's last week and while it is doable for a small group it would be a disaster dragging ten or more photographers down there.

Alvin, the last two waterfall events have gone until 7-8PM. Though, there was daylight available to do so then. We're going to be looking at a 5:30ish sunset (guessing, too lazy to check my ephemeris right now) and those of us without ND filters may want the lower light to shoot. Myself on that list. You could rudely leave early if you like. (How many smilies do I need before there is no doubt that I am kidding?)

This will be my first Hamilton Falls meetup. Do we stop for lunch somewhere or bring our own? TIA for organizing this. Without the group, I am unlikely to venture out in the cold on my own

The way I've done it previously is with a brief stop at a Tim's, or whatever, during the trip between Hilton Falls in Milton, where we've had a bit of a hike, and the cluster of Falls around Hamilton. At the end of the night we head to a restaurant in Ancaster (usally run by the Cara group) which is just a few minutes from Albion Falls. Usually a Montana's or Kelsey's. Relatively cheap and just about everyone can find something they'll chew on the menu. That said, a thermos of warm beverage is recommended as is a snack of some sort. If history is any indication the events I create are long with a lot of walking. You will be tired and hungry. I will provide maps/GPS coordinates & mobile numbers to reach the group, so if you want to head off on your own for a bit and meet up with the group again that is also possible.

i've been wanting to shoot the falls in hamilton area for a while but a winter shoot is even better. i have a little car but could take 1 passenger with equipment easily or possibly two altho that would be a squeeze. i'm coming from etobicoke so kipling subway pickup would be best for me.

I might be up for a squeeze, I am at Lakeshore and Park Lawn

you'll have to enjoy the squeeze on your own time. you're number one.

number two is filled now too.

Yeah, as PotatoEYE noted they are open but likely to be very very slippery. Very. If they're closed it'll just be a rope we'll ignore. There is another way to approach Websters and that is from parking at the road at the bottom of the hill and hiking in. That's fine by me as it's a nice hike, but a longish one about the same length as the Hilton Falls hike.

These hikes. Are they on cleared trails? or across fields/thru the bush? I don't care but it will influence my choice of footwear/clothing.

snow, might be deep or shallow, ice, mud etc

Anyone else got an extra car space?

Hmm... sorry Chris, I'll put myself as a maybe for now, I'm the type that doesn't like to leave halfway and I'll probably want the lower light to shoot anyway since I don't have ND filters so not much of point if I can't stay that long. Plus, I don't think I would have transportation to leave halfway unless someone else's does as well. However, if there's a chance of my plans or if you happen to switch to Sunday, I'll tag along.

So you have an idea of what I'm going on about when I say the Webster's Falls area has some nice scenery:



That was taken just a minute downstream from the falls a little earlier this month. I think it's worthwhile.

May I join your trip? I have been there in summer but am really interested in what is in winter.

I have registered for quite while but did not attend event so far.

I met PotatoEYE once to buy his lens last summer.

Of course! All are welcome.

Very likely...

I will have space. I will leave at Yonge/Steels area.

I put myself down as a yes, but it will have to depend on the weather/road conditions as I don't like winter driving. If I were to try to arrange a ride, I can't figure out a meeting spot that would be convenient for some one else on the drive to Hilton Falls and back from Albion.

Janet, I guess it depends where you are in Mississauga. If you can meet someone along the Lakeshore corridor in the morning before they head north to Hilton Falls and then drop you off as they come back that way? Like Clarkson or Port Credit GO Station? As for the weather, currently the forecast says flurries. Pointless to look now and it will be what it is. Some fresh snow would be nice so it's not all brown and as long as it stays cold.

I would anticipate that the Lakeshore corridor would be out of the way for anyone coming from Toronto in the morning, as they would likely take Hwy. 427 to the 401. I'm hoping that the weather will cooperate or that someone from Mississauga will sign up.

QEW is better than 401 due to the trucks on the latter

Checking the weather right now, looks like will have some snow this week. Do we have to wear some no slip hiking shoes for the hiking under this weather condition? I don't want to put my gear under the risk......