Sunday, May 24th, 2009

10:00 a.m. start. 

Red Hill Creek

Distance:
5k to 8k

Honourary Walk Leader

Gustavo Machado 

Directions from Hwy 403  
Travel east on Lincoln Alexander Parkway for about 9km. Exit at Gage St. Go north to Mohawk Rd. Turn right and proceed to Mountain Brow Blvd. Turn right. Parking is above the falls.

Cultural History 
In 1792 a grist mill was erected near Albion Falls in Barton Township by William Davis. Not far from the grist mill, a saw mill was also built to serve a small but growing community. This community hosted three hotels, a general store and a blacksmith shop. The grist mill changed hands a half dozen times over the years, but by the early 1900s the small vibrant village called Albion Mills was all but forgotten. Albion was a poetic version of the name “Britain”. Not far from the original location of the mill in King’s Forest Park is one of the mill stones with a commemorative plaque. Albion Falls was once seriously considered as a possible source of water for the Hamilton. Rocks from the Albion Falls area were used in the construction of the Royal Botanical Gardens' Rock Garden.

The ravine at Albion Falls has a “Lover’s Leap” legend. The early 19th century story tells of young Jane Riley, disappointed in love with Joseph Rousseau. She stood at the top of a steep cliff not far from the thundering Albion Falls and flung herself to the bottom 100 feet below. The steep drop has since been dubbed "Lovers' Leap".   

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