The Niagara Escarpment is a long escarpment in Canada and the United States that starts from the south shore of Lake Ontario westward and circumscribes the top of the Great Lakes Basin running from New York through Ontario, Michigan, and Wisconsin. It forms the cliff over which the Niagara River plunges at Niagara Falls, for which it is named. The escarpment is not a fault line but the result of unequal erosion.
Known as ‘The Mountain’ by locals, the city of Hamilton is on the escarpment in such a way that the north end of the city is below, and the south part is above. As with any large city, smaller towns dot the greater area, including Stoney Creek where our friends Gerhard and Hettie call home. It is only 65 km (40 miles) to Niagara Falls from their house, but within 48 wineries, cherry farms, apple farms and a major historic site in between.
The vineyards flourish due to the “lake effect,” where moist air moves in and over the grapes then up the escarpment to cool down, before moving back towards the lake. Those who love wine can just chill here and not bother with anything else for weeks! For the history buffs, Ball’s Falls, also known as Balls Mills, Louthe Mills and Glen Elgin, is a historical ghost town.
