Rockford Water Filters, Owen Sound, ON

In the heart of the 200-hectare Inglis Falls Conservation Area, hidden underground, are the historic Rockford Water Filters. These slow sand filters, constructed in 1910-12, provided potable water to the City of Owen Sound from 1912 through 1969. The cavernous filtration plant and its operations are fascinating local lore unknown to many area residents. You are invited to see and hear for yourself on Thursday, Nov.13, 10am.     Join Grey Sauble Conservation and Grey-Bruce Adventours staff at Inglis Falls for this exclusive 2-hour walking adventure. Cost is $10 per person. Photographers: This is a great opportunity to shoot a unique bit of our heritage!

The Rockford Filters consist of 2 massive concrete boxes, roofed and grass-covered. Each contains natural filtering materials in layers of sand, fine gravel and coarser gravel totaling a depth of 80cm. Water from the Sydenham River was directed into the system, filtered through, and piped to a 5-million gallon reservoir on Owen Sound’s east side. From there it gravity-fed to homes, business and industry. Over 400 men worked to pour concrete and lay pipe during construction.

When the filters were operating, they were cleaned by hand. For 2 full days, 3 men skimmed the dirty sand, 2 men ran wheelbarrows, and 1 man operated the sand washer. The clean sand was spread on a concrete pad to dry. It was then wheelbarrow-fed back into the filter through overhead grates. The cleaning schedule varied depending on water and weather conditions but cleaning was sometimes necessary every 10 days. This labour-intensive process would be very daunting for most of us today.

The Inglis Falls area offers many glimpses into our cultural, natural, and geological past. The tour will include a look at other industries on site, as well as the glacial potholes. We hope you will join us in exploring these special Grey County treasures. 

Post Event: 15 people attended event despite the snow. Everyone learned lots and had fun. Several photographers got to practice with shutter speeds and low light conditions.

Doors Open in June may be your next opportunity to visit this cool bit of Grey County history.

Inglis Falls, Snowy November Day

Glacial Pothole near Inglis Falls

Krista McKee, Grey Sauble Conservation, Provides Intro and Welcome

Part of Sydenham River Disappears into Underground Drainage

Entrance to Filters above Inglis Falls

Massive Underground Water Filter Cavern

Fun with Long Shutter Speeds- Note Flashlight Trail

Overhead Grate Allowed Clean Sand to Be Added to Filterbed

On the Sand

Metcalfe Rock in Autumn

Metcalfe Rock is a favourite destination for me in all seasons. The crevices are fun to explore. The views are spectacular. The Bruce Trail, side trails and Kolapore Trails all pass nearby for great hiking. I happily spend whole days investigating this amazing area. Here are some recent photos to whet your appetite and if you want to join me in an adventure, be sure to contact me. Watch for my upcoming story on cross-country skiing at Kolapore in the Winter Issue of Niagara Escarpment Views mag. Happy Adventouring!

Hanover Community Trails

On a lovely fall afternoon last week, I was thrilled to get exploring Hanover's trails along the Saugeen River. Although the colours are passed peak, it is still very beautiful and peaceful along the river. I hope you enjoy these images and take yourself out for a walk soon. It is so good for body, mind, and spirit!
Helping you walk lighter in your body and stronger on the earth,
Sandra J.

Thanksgiving at Rock Glen, Ontario PT2

Thanksgiving at Rock Glen, Ontario PT1

Bognor Marsh Spring Photos

Bognor Marsh, just SE of Owen Sound, is a lovely walk in any season but spring is an especially great time to visit. The Bruce Trail and a connecting sidetrail form a hiking loop which includes a boardwalk through marsh and ponds created by Ducks Unlimited. Trail also climbs up onto Niagara Escarpment for rugged upland forest walking and wildflowers. Hope you enjoy these images! Best wishes, Sandra J.

Canada geese with new goslings. Very noisy!

Pond lilies and forest springing to life.

Follow boardwalk through marsh.

You can see me!

I can see you!

Stream tumbles through escarpment forest.

Delicate fern fronds.

Sweet violets!

Christmas fern unfurling.

Shades of trilliums.

Escarpment rock garden.

View from escarpment looking south to marsh.

Massie Adventour

Grey-Bruce Adventours: Massie

By Sandra J. Howe for Mar/14 Mosaic

Welcome to a new year of Grey-Bruce Adventours! I am excited to be back at my computer sharing stories and explorations with you. It has been a very wintery winter with lots of opportunities for fun in the snow. I hope you have been out playing. A wonderful place to head out with your cross-country skis is the Massie Hills Ski Trail. Owen Sound Cross Country Ski Club grooms and sets track three times weekly on this beautiful forest tract near Massie. To virtual ski or get details on the club, visit their website at www.owensound.org/ski.

On March 30 at 1pm, I invite you to join me in cross-country skiing these excellent loop trails. Meet at the front trail entrance on 6^th concession south, and bring $5 per person for trail fee. We will explore upland and lowland deciduous forest, as well as mature pine plantations. Trails are suited to a range of abilities. Pets are not welcome on the ski trails in winter. Snowshoes are welcome but please stay off set ski tracks. In spring, summer and fall, the Massie Trails are multi-use, for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The Bruce Trail and Spey River Forest Side Trail run through this property, and it is part of the Sydenham Bruce Trail Club’s Looping through Sydenham Challenge.

Continuing south from Massie Hills Ski Trail brings you to the scenic Hamlet of Massie. According to W.W. Smith’s Gazetteer and Directory of the County of Grey, 1865-66, Massie contained “a post-office, gristmill, sawmill, blacksmith shop, horseshoe nail factory, and school house”. “There is an air of thrift and enterprise about the place, which promises well for its future growth and prosperity.” Today there remains a strong community spirit, an active church, several homes, and Massie Hall where a wonderful concert series is held annually.

Massie, like most pioneer settlements, is situated on a river for access to waterpower. The Big Head River flows through the hamlet with the mill dam and pond still in place. The Historical Society of Holland Township’s fascinating book, “The Paths that Led to Holland” features several pages on Massie. Apparently fishing was very good on the Big Head in early years: “People along the Big Head didn’t require any meat in summer as they could get all the trout that they needed. A man could go down to the river at noon hour while the oxen were feeding, and in an hour’s time he could get enough trout to do his family for two days.” I don’t know about the fishing now but it might be worth a try.

Gary Running Ski Trail Groomer

Downtown Massie

Big Head River

Massie Millpond

Map of Massie Hills Ski Trail

No matter the season, Grey-Bruce offers endless opportunities to learn and explore. Grey-Bruce Adventours encourages you to take a tour today. Have fun!