Easter weekend hikes at the falls? Watch the edges, city warns

The Easter long weekend is a popular time for Hamilton residents to hike the beautiful local trails, especially up near Webster's, Tews, and other waterfalls.

On Good Friday, that popularity was evident: during the early afternoon hours, the parking lots for Webster's and Tews Falls were full, with cars lining up outside. In a nearby residential neighbourhood, vehicles lined both sides of the streets, and packs of people wandered along the shoulders of the main road.

And a friendly reminder: if you're planning to head out there and park in the lots, you'll need $15 in cash.

But Hamilton city hall is warning that eager hikers would be prudent to keep caution front of mind, since accidents on these trails have been especially prevalent in the last year.

Last year saw 25 rope rescues performed in Hamilton, the highest number in 10 years.

• Two rope rescues Sunday bring 2016 total to highest in 10 years

"Hamilton is home to more than 100 waterfalls, and with one of the highest number of waterfalls of any urban area of its size, has been called the Waterfall Capital of the World. Many of these waterfalls are situated beside steep drops or near unstable ground," says a city press release from Thursday.

"Due to the spring melt, many of Hamilton's waterfalls will have extra water flowing through them and could be particularly dangerous this time of year. Visitors are also reminded to be aware of slippery conditions with the recent rain and wet spring weather."

The release also urged residents and visitors "toexercise caution, stick to the marked trails, respect the posted signage and check out the falls from the viewing platforms."

Concerning numbers

Officials had considered fining people for rope rescues, but it was ultimately decided that wasn't the right approach.

• Hamilton won't charge user fees for rope rescues at its waterfalls

"I don't want to reach a point where I'm legislating behaviour, and I'm resisting that as much as I possibly can," Coun. Tom Jackson told CBC Hamilton in January.

Fire Chief David Cunliffe had concerns about that idea too.

"A user fee may deter someone in trouble from making a phone call," Cunliffe said. And if people in trouble get their friends or family to help instead, that just increases the number of people at risk, he added.

Coun. Terry Whitehead has said rope rescues might be a good idea in cases where people have been reckless. At Chedoke Falls, for example, people have cut through fences.

Taxpayers shouldn't pay for that, he said.

The most current numbers for where people have made rescue callsare:

• Tews Falls: 11
• Webster's Falls: 10
• Albion Falls: 17
• Devil's Punch Bowl: 10
• Felker's Falls: 3

dave.beatty@cbc.ca | @dbeatty