World of Waterfalls

Explore The World One Waterfall At A Time

DeCew Falls

Niagara Greenbelt / St Catharines, Ontario, Canada

About DeCew Falls

For Subscribers Only. See Membership Options.
Jump to: Photos, Videos, Other Info
Jump to: Comments and Reviews
Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

DeCew Falls was a waterfall where we had quite a bit of trouble finding a way to get a good look at it.

It was one case where we wound up settling for subpar views of it without realizing that there was a longer path to get to a better view of it.

DeCew_Falls_032_10122013 - DeCew Falls from inside the Morningstar Mill
DeCew Falls from inside the Morningstar Mill

Instead, the photo you see above came from inside the historical Morningstar Mill, which happened to be open the morning of our visit (which also just so happened to be during the long weekend of Canada’s Thanksgiving holiday).

Our Waterfalls of Ontario book had a picture showing this 21m waterfall from its base, which was how we envisioned we’d be able to view the falls.

Unfortunately, we didn’t count on the risks involved in trying to earn that view when we attempted to pursue it.

Settling and Regrets

Indeed, settling for the subpar views from inside the mill as well as from just outside the mill only allowed us to see a small fraction of the waterfall.

DeCew_Falls_004_10122013 - Very partial view of the top of DeCew Falls from just outside the Morningstar Mill
Very partial view of the top of DeCew Falls from just outside the Morningstar Mill

Given the unsatisfactory waterfalling experience, we had to give it a low score even though it would’ve scored much higher had we somehow gotten to view the waterfall from its base.

At least from the view inside the Morningstar Mill, we also noticed another waterfall spilling into the same gorge though it was mostly obscured by foliage.

But in hindsight, I had a feeling that we need to come back here and have a better experience.

Description of our Misadventure

From the car park for the Morningstar Mill (see directions below), we walked past the mill complex towards a narrow opening in the fence.

DeCew_Falls_019_10122013 - Fencing and overgrowth made our DeCew Falls experience unsatisfactory because that's what we thought was available to us
Fencing and overgrowth made our DeCew Falls experience unsatisfactory because that’s what we thought was available to us

There was a lookout with a very partial view of the DeCew Falls from next to the mill, but this view left much to be desired.

Once we were past the opening in the fence, we then followed the Laura Secord Trail, which coincided with the Bruce Trail.

This trail continued to followed along the rim of the gorge with chain-linked fences put up to prevent people from getting too close to the gorge edge.

After a few minutes of walking this trail, the fence went away, and then we encountered a very steep “path” that led towards the base of the gorge.

DeCew_Falls_014_10122013 - The very steep and difficult scramble to get to the bottom of DeCew Falls where someone had set up a rope, but even that was still too sketchy to try
The very steep and difficult scramble to get to the bottom of DeCew Falls where someone had set up a rope, but even that was still too sketchy to try

It was definitely too difficult to do it with our daughter so I decided to go down partway to take a look at whether it would be doable.

But with the muddiness of the terrain, the steepness (despite the ropes put in to help with the descent), and potential nasty consequences of a fall here, I decided not to push my luck.

Heck, I didn’t even make it past half way point of the descent when I scrambled back up to the top of the gorge.

What We Should Have Done

Little did we know (until after the fact) that we would have had an easier time continuing to walk along the Bruce Trail until we would reach the Lower DeCew Falls.

DeCew_Falls_010_10122013 - In hindsight, the trail that we took that followed the fence actually kept going further downhill beyond the fencing, and it didn't require the sketchy rope-assisted descent which I'm sure the authorities wouldn't allow anyways
In hindsight, the trail that we took that followed the fence actually kept going further downhill beyond the fencing, and it didn’t require the sketchy rope-assisted descent which I’m sure the authorities wouldn’t allow anyways

Then, we would have to hike upstream from within the gorge to reach the view of DeCew Falls that was pictured in our Waterfalls of Ontario book.

I guess that’ll have to wait for a return visit.

It still sits on my mind as one of the regrets of our Autumn trip to New England and Canada in 2013.

The Morningstar Mill

Finally, the Morningstar Mill was a pretty interesting exhibit in and of itself.

DeCew_Falls_036_10122013 - Looking upstream at a modified waterfall within the contraptions for the Morningstar Mill, which was just upstream of DeCew Falls
Looking upstream at a modified waterfall within the contraptions for the Morningstar Mill, which was just upstream of DeCew Falls

We checked out the machinery involved to harness the power of moving water, which was on display there.

Apparently, the mill only opens from 10am to 3pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

We were surprised at how popular this place was despite the difficulties in getting a satisfactory view of DeCew Falls.

The price of admission was free though the staff here appreciated donations to keep this historical site preserved.

Authorities

DeCew Falls resides near St Catharines in the province of Ontario, Canada. I don’t know if it is administered by the local government or if it’s cared for by the Morningstar Mill. For information or inquiries as well as current conditions, you can try to visit the Morningstar Mill website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: niagara, greenbelt, st catharines, saint catharines, ontario, lake, canada, waterfall, morningstar mill



Visitor Comments:

Got something you'd like to share or say to keep the conversation going? Feel free to leave a comment below...

No users have replied to the content on this page


Share your thoughts about what you've read on this page

You must be logged in to submit content. Refresh this page after you have logged in.

Visitor Reviews of this Waterfall:

If you have a waterfall story or write-up that you'd like to share, feel free to click the button below and fill out the form...

No users have submitted a write-up/review of this waterfall


Have you been to a waterfall? Submit a write-up/review and share your experiences or impressions

Review A Waterfall

Nearest Waterfalls



How To Build A Profitable Travel Blog In 4 Steps

Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.