The last few years we have bought a pass to the local conservation areas. There are 11 different parks along the Grand River, offering us great hiking trails, beaches, swimming, camping, nature programs, pools, birding, etc. These are places we visit regularly so the pass is just an added bonus.
Today we visited the gorge. This is somewhere I came every year to camp as a kid so I have found memories of the small beach, the camping, the trails, the amazing rocks and rapids. As a teenager we used to come tubing here. We would drive to one end, hop in the giant truck tire inner tube and float through calm and rapid water until we were into the shallow water and then we would hike back. Today lots of people are still tubing, although there is an extra fee and safety equipment required. The kids loved standing up high looking down, watching the tubes go through the white water and occasionally falling off!
We hiked past where the tubers use the river and watched some rescue training. The gorge sees many kayaks, rock climbers,hikers and tubers and depending on the water level it can be dangerous. It was interesting to watch how they navigated the slippery rocks, the swirling eddy, the fast moving water to cross and come back.
The trail has a few spots where you are able to hike down from the cliff to the water. The kids noticed many of the rock faces and formations were similar to those at the other parks, remembering information about lime stone and rock pools. The trees growing out of the cliff were incredible, some performing gymnastic like moves to reach the sun.
After a great hike we headed to the tiny beach for a cool down in the water.
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