Mono Cliffs, Split Rock Narrows and Shelbourne – Another Excursion to the Niagara Escapement

Lacing up my shoes in the Mono Cliffs parking lot I listened to these two annoying girls from Toronto, talking about how badly labelled the park signage was. This was to my contentment as the Mono Cliffs mapping and signage is very well executed. Typical of some of the less experience hikers coming from the “Big Smoke” they kept yammering on and I was on my way to explore the park.

Table of Contents

• Walking in from the Parking Lot
• The Rock Formation and Lookout
• McCarston’s Lake Lake and Return Back
• Split Rock Narrows
• Shelbourne

Walking in from the Parking Lot

The first part of the walk is perhaps the most monotone. You start by traversing a farmers field with a view of the faraway ridgelines that consist the park. Eventually you will come to a fork, you can either choose to go up a stairwell or continue along the base of the cliff for a slow but steady climb up.

The Rock Formation and Lookout

At the top of the hill you will find a stairwell leading down to an impressive set of rocks, this is the area that Mono Cliffs park is known for.

The walkway will take you between two massive boulders in dramatic effect but it is a small area overall and can be seen in mere minutes.

Here area a few more pictures!

Just past the rock formations you will find a lookout with view of the surrounding landscape.

McCarston’s Lake Lake and Return Back

If you wish to visit McCarston’s Lake, you can do so by doubling back and taking a pathway leading to it, this is an unremarkable trail but can be worth it for those wishing to spend more time in the park.

You can return back via the previously mentioned staircase. To get there continue along the ridge-line where you will find small rock walls along the partway. These ancient barriers where once used to delineate fields and property limits.

The staircase area offers a nice view of the woods as well as some more rocks, although less impressive the the ones mentioned previously.

Now off to Shelbourne for a beer!

Split Rock Narrows

Before you head off for beers consider checking out Split rock located mere kilometers from mono cliffs. This short 4km hike takes you though several depressions in the limestone landscape for an impressive walk.

Shelbourne

Built at the intersection of Highway 10 and Highway 89, Shelbourne came into existence in the 1860’s. The quaint town was at that time but log cabins until the construction of the Toronto-Sydenham Road (now Highway 10) when the current layout began to take shape.

The main streets are typical of this sort of place, with shops and services occupying the ground floors of masonry buildings yet you will find a few outliers including a beautiful stone building with a clock-tower and the old town hall.

The town hall is a magnificent square building with a beautiful tower dominating it.

The real reason to visit the town is to stop of at the Dufferin Public House, a converted church to restaurant/bar offering great food and drink!