Hays Falls

Last weekend, Wendy and I joined our adventurous cousins Todd and Tanya to hike up the Maliseet trail and visit Hays Falls, one of New Brunswick's highest waterfalls. Approximately 30 minutes outside Fredericton, near Meductic on Hwy 165, a wide pullover parking area marks the head of this historic 200 km portage that was used by the Wolastoqiyik (Maliseet) First Nations people to connect the Saint John River to the Penobscot River in Maine. Blue square trail markers highlight the nearly 2 km trail as it slowly climbs almost 90 meters in elevation over exposed roots and slippery rocks. Although there were plenty of rustic handmade benches and picnic tables to rest on, the path is comfortable at a slow pace, however good footwear is essential. At the top of the falls the water is squeezed through a narrow cleft and sprayed out to drop nearly 20 meters as it spreads creating an excellent example of a Veil type falls.The view at the bottom of the falls is most impressive and offers a unique experience as the force of the falls creates a misty breeze on your face and a low rumble in your ears.