Just outside of the Eastern Ontario village of Douglas sits one of the best developed cave systems in Ontario – the Bonnechere Caves. In these limestone caves they’ve found fossils in the rock from the Ordovician time period, 400-500 million years ago. On private property, these caves have been open to the public for over 55 years and can only be seen by taking a guided tour. Having lived in this area for most of my life, I’ve never taken the time to visit the caves. Today was that day…
There are well maintained walkways throughout the well lit caves. At one point the guide turned off the lights plunging us into complete darkness.
Beside the caves sits the Bonnechere River. During the summer they keep the caves pumped out. Our guide told us that if the power was off and the pumps weren’t running, the caves would be flooded within 5 days. In fact, that is exactly what they allow to happen every winter. It helps to protect the rock from frost damage.
Logging was huge in this area around the turn of the century. The loggers found 5 sets of waterfalls on the river and built wooden chutes to get the logs around them. This is the Fourth Chute – it’s a beautiful spot.
Beautiful pictures!!
Thanks Kathy!