Harrington River Falls Trail – The Garden of Eden

glenmckenzie(justabitfurther)

Nov 5

There has to be something seriously off-kilter with "good old Mother Nature" the past few days.

We're into the first week of November, and the weather has been shall we say - spectacular. When you can work outside or sit on your back deck in not much more than a T-shirt, you know that something is amiss.

Not that we're complaining, but really 17C today and sunny. And 20C tomorrow(Sunday), and sunny yet again.

Yesterday(Friday), was much like today's forecast - fairly warm and sunny. Given that it was pretty much a perfect day to be outside, we decided in the early afternoon to give the Harrington River Falls Trail(The Garden of Eden) a go of it.

The trail to the falls is just over a kilometre(one-way), making it a relatively short hike distance-wise, but more of a challenge in the last 100 metres or so.

The trail to the top of the slope down to the river bed is generally flat, but it is somewhat overgrown in spots. There was pink and blue flagging tape that had been placed previously by others that certainly helped.

One of the issues(although not a major) on this part of the trail, was large trees that had been blown down across the trail during Hurricane Fiona back in September. There had been a bit of trail re-routing done to get around these blow-downs.

The crux was navigating the trail from the top of the river gorge to the bottom. Much of the info, I had found regarding the trail was that "the last 100 metres down to the river is steep, but there are ropes placed to help."

That is a true statement only in the broadest definition possible of, "the last 100 metres down to the river is steep, but there are ropes placed to help."

What we were met with was even more Hurricane Fiona damage with essentially the entire trail down the slope to the bottom littered with fallen trees and pre-Fiona ropes - mostly gone, and left with a mix of post-Fiona ropes; pre-Fiona ropes; trees littering the trail(either climbing over or under); mud; rocks; and a 60 to 70-degree slope to navigate down.

Nevertheless, slow and steady usually wins(it did). One of the more important aspects of descending and ascending a situation like this is to think and plan several steps ahead of where you actually are. Don't make a move or step without knowing what the step after will look like or be.

Anyhow, I see why people call it the Garden of Eden...a few pictures. I had a couple of old work high visibility vests which we wore - given it is still hunting season in much of this area of the province.

Over the years, Lynn and I have hiked more kilometres than I care to think about. And to say we have had to overcome and deal with some "sketchy spots and locations" would be a bit of an understatement. But, those 100 metres or so down from the top of the gorge to the floor of the Harrington River rates right up there with the list of "sketchy spots and locations."

Ascending out of the gorge seemed to go much faster and easier. We sort of knew what was coming and could anticipate any issues.

All in all, it was a great afternoon and well worth the effort.

Sunny; warm temperatures and a great Nova Scotia trail - who wouldn't want to be outside?

--as always with love--

--- get outdoors; find inspiration; discover yourself ---

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