When we started road trips, I did not have a cellphone with a data plan, and I had to write out the directions in great detail to every destination. Eventually, I discovered that Google Maps is very good at getting you places without detailed research on driving there.
The problem with the conversion of paper instructions to a small display of a small phone is that the small icons get lost in the confusion of finding another small icon to drive to. Because of this, I missed South River Cascade at least four times before.
I learned how to stop missing this place, and we visited it in early summer. Charlene was quite vocal about how I had kept overlooking it since waterfalls are something that she really likes. South River Cascade is our favourite waterfall style, and it has a lot of characteristics that beg to be explored. Generally speaking, cascades allow us to get up close and even view each part of the falls in its own right.
The water flow was starting to ease due to the encroachment of summer heat, but there was enough to draw me down and walk along with the parts that were accessible. A waterfall must not be large or have a significant flow like Niagara’s to be great. What it needs is character. We define that character by the shape and flow of water and the area in which it is in. Sometimes we can even attribute emotion to a fall. We have been to places that we would call “angry.” This place I would give this moment as “serene,” although I could see that this place would be “violent” in the spring melt.
South River Cascade confirms that so many roads are built over top of waterfalls and rapids. It happens so often when we are at a fall that it cannot possibly be a coincidence. I would love to speak to someone who understands why the bridges were used to cover up so many falls when roads were being built.
Accessing the area under the bridge did take a little bit of effort in that the rocks are a little bigger than I would have liked, and I was in no mood to get my feet wet. We shared this site with a photographer that was impressed with the ease of my moving around the rocks. Secretly I thought to myself that I was getting too old for this kind of thing, but I spoke of the hiking shoes I was wearing. We had recently purchased quality footwear that was non-slip. Our previous boots were great in the mud, snow and dirt but almost dangerous when it came to wet rocks. These new ones gave a lot of security and the confidence that comes with it.
Where we parked the car are a couple of artifacts and a large display on the history of the hydro plant that used to occupy this area. There is even the ruined foundation of this plant still in the area. I missed this on our visit but will seek it on future trips.
This location is shown on Featured Map. It is surrounded by many other great stops so the drive here will be worth it.
