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Devil's Punch Bowl (Hamilton, Ontario)
Encyclopedia
Devil's Punch Bowl is a 37 metre ribbon waterfall on the Niagara Escarpment, in the Stoney Creek
community of Hamilton, Ontario
, Canada
. It is found in the Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area, maintained by the Hamilton Conservation Authority
, and features an escarpment access trail with connections to a recently improved section of the Bruce Trail
. Stoney Creek's Dofasco
2000 Trail is nearby. The Punch Bowl is also known as Horseshoe Falls for the distinctive shape of the cliff-face, in which somewhat resembles its much larger cousin
.
In addition to the 800 km-long Bruce Trail, nearby attractions include the historic Battlefield House Museum
and Nash-Jackson House; on Lake Ontario, Fifty Point Conservation Area and Confederation Park; and Mohawk Sports Park
and the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology in the city proper. There's also a convenience store, restaurant, motel, gas station and retail stores nearby.
Lower Punch Bowl Falls is a curtain waterfall located a few metres north of the Punch Bowl, spanning 7 metres in height and width.
The formation of the Devil’s Punch Bowl occurred 1 million years ago after one of the four great ice ages. As the ice slabs that covered the area melted at the end of the ice age, high levels of water occurred. These streams of fast moving waters carved out the land and formed what would become the Devil’s Punch Bowl .
Formation of the Devil’s Punch Bowl has declined since its original formation; it often dries up or is only a trickle. However, stream still picks up during rain and as snow is melting. The site also has two distinct waterfalls in the upper and lower regions.
Today it has become a famous landmark amongst geologists worldwide because of its exposed rock strata . The stratigraphy of the Punch Bowl has been studied by geologists, including McMaster University students.
From the top of the escarpment a beautiful view of various locations can be seen such as; East Hamilton, Burlington, Stoney Creek and weather permitting, the Toronto sky line can become visible as well.
Stoney Creek, Ontario
Stoney Creek is a community in Ontario, Canada.Note: This article will only deal with matters up to its amalgamation with Hamilton.-Geography and population:...
community of Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It is found in the Devil's Punchbowl Conservation Area, maintained by the Hamilton Conservation Authority
Hamilton Conservation Authority
The Hamilton Conservation Authority maintains the greenspace, trails, parks and some attractions in the Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.The Hamilton Conservation Authority has managed the natural environment in partnership with the City of Hamilton and the Province of Ontario to help ensure a safe and...
, and features an escarpment access trail with connections to a recently improved section of the Bruce Trail
Bruce Trail
The Bruce Trail is a hiking trail in southern and central Ontario, Canada.-General:The trail follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, one of the thirteen UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada, for almost...
. Stoney Creek's Dofasco
Dofasco
Dofasco is a steel company based in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, which is also home to longtime Canadian rival Stelco. Dofasco is currently a standalone subsidiary of ArcelorMittal, the world's largest steel producer. Previously ordered by the U.S...
2000 Trail is nearby. The Punch Bowl is also known as Horseshoe Falls for the distinctive shape of the cliff-face, in which somewhat resembles its much larger cousin
Horseshoe Falls
The Horseshoe Falls, also known as the Canadian Falls, is part of Niagara Falls, on the Niagara River. Approximately 90% of the Niagara River, after diversions for hydropower generation, flows over Horseshoe Falls. The remaining 10% flows over the American Falls...
.
In addition to the 800 km-long Bruce Trail, nearby attractions include the historic Battlefield House Museum
Battlefield House (Stoney Creek)
Battlefield House near King Street East and Centennial Parkway in Stoney Creek, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada is a living history museum and site of the historic Battle of Stoney Creek on June 6, 1813, which was fought during the War of 1812. It was built in 1796...
and Nash-Jackson House; on Lake Ontario, Fifty Point Conservation Area and Confederation Park; and Mohawk Sports Park
Mohawk Sports Park
Mohawk Sports Park, is a large park on the east mountain of Hamilton, Ontario, 1100 Mohawk Road East, with a number of sporting facilities including Bernie Arbour Memorial Stadium and the Mohawk 4 Ice Centre, . Also known as Commonwealth Park and Upper King's Forest Park....
and the Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology in the city proper. There's also a convenience store, restaurant, motel, gas station and retail stores nearby.
Lower Punch Bowl Falls is a curtain waterfall located a few metres north of the Punch Bowl, spanning 7 metres in height and width.
History
The history of the Devil’s Punchbowl dates back to over 450 million years ago. It was formed throughout the years by many glacial waters; it withholds different layers of colorful stratified rock segments. The falls drops about 108.25 feet. Another monument that is considered part of the Devil’s Punchbowl is the ten-meter high cross that overlooks the Stoney Creek community and Hamilton Harbor. This cross was made in December 18, 1966 in memory of a priest named William Sinclair (1925-1994) . He built the cross to bring light to the community. Originally the cross was only planned on being lit up during Christmas and Easter for six weeks. However, with the help of the donations from the Knights of Columbus the cross lights up automatically every night. There are numerous stories surrounding in how Devil’s Punchbowl got its name, some believe that individuals that God would not want his creation named after him instead, he named it after the “devil.” Another assumption states that moonshiners set up their wares on the road leading up to the Punchbowl, when the workers got thirsty they would go up to the falls to get some cold water . The moonshiners were viewed as individuals that did “devil’s work” giving the monument its current name today.Geology and Geography
The Devil’s Punch Bowl originated 450 million years ago when materials that form the Niagara escarpment were originally deposited in an inland sea. Corals and other organisms that lived in the area became fossilized as the sea bottom deposits changed into rocks .The formation of the Devil’s Punch Bowl occurred 1 million years ago after one of the four great ice ages. As the ice slabs that covered the area melted at the end of the ice age, high levels of water occurred. These streams of fast moving waters carved out the land and formed what would become the Devil’s Punch Bowl .
Formation of the Devil’s Punch Bowl has declined since its original formation; it often dries up or is only a trickle. However, stream still picks up during rain and as snow is melting. The site also has two distinct waterfalls in the upper and lower regions.
Today it has become a famous landmark amongst geologists worldwide because of its exposed rock strata . The stratigraphy of the Punch Bowl has been studied by geologists, including McMaster University students.
From the top of the escarpment a beautiful view of various locations can be seen such as; East Hamilton, Burlington, Stoney Creek and weather permitting, the Toronto sky line can become visible as well.