Did you know that Ontario has it very own badlands? Have you ever heard of the Sundance kid? Read on……….
The Cheltenham Badlands are not a major tourist attraction at this time, but with the large number of people trekking out to see this site, I am sure it won’t be long before the Province will figure out just how to make some money on it!
History:
This land was cleared for farming in the early 1900’s. Vegetation was removed and combined with overgrazing of livestock, the soft Queenston shale became exposed to the elements.
The lands use for grazing ended in 1930’s but the erosion has continued ever since, exposing more rock each year.
If you look closely at the dead tree off centre, you can see that the roots are balanced on the rock and there is no dirt remaining underneath them.
The soil is very dry and these roots are slowly losing the dirt around them.
The badlands are northwest of Toronto. Currently, if you visit, you just park on the road and take a very short walk in. You can see them from the road.
This was interesting to see. It is certainly scary to think that the exposure is continuing – it is amazing to see what erosion can do.
What really struck me was that it was stuck out in the middle of nowhere with green bush surrounding it. Other ones are so huge that you probably don’t get this same reaction, its just part of the landscape…..