Niagara Gorge

On 10/3/97, we hiked in several areas of the Niagara Gorge. Our guidebook, Secret Places by Bruce Kershner, promised many caves, but we only found one, the Devil's Hole Cave pictured at right.

We descended several hundred steps to the Niagara River to see the rapids, but we couldn't get very close to the shore. We walked a few miles at the bottom of the gorge.

From several points along the hike, we saw a great view of the Niagara Falls Power Project.

Our path was soon blocked by a jumble of fallen boulders and rocks. I think some of the caves might have been among the jumble, but we were hesitant to explore. Sadie was slipping and pulling, and I was afraid that she would cause us to fall and either hit our heads on rocks, or tumble down the gorge into the rapids of the Niagara River.We turned back early and barely managed to climb the hundreds of steps of the gorge without passing out. Maybe we'll go back another day without the dog... and when we've built up more stamina!

Thanks to my husband Karl for generating a map of the region.

Another topographic map of Devil's Hole to print or purchase

More info about Niagara Gorge

Niagara Gorge Discovery Center

Niagara Falls: A Guide for Tourists

Western New York, An Explorer's Guide: From Niagara Falls and Southern Ontario to the Western Edge of the Finger Lakes

Fodor's Toronto 2006 : With Niagara Falls & the Niagara Wine Region

The Devil's Hole Massacre

Devil's Hole State Park:

Robert Moses parkway, 4 miles north of the Falls. Phone: 716-284-5778.

Whirlpool State Park:

Via Robert Moses Parkway, 2 miles north of the Falls. Phone: 716-284-5778.