Neptune's Staircase Traditional Cache

Mountain Locks Park contains six locks from the second Welland Canal dubbed "Neptune's Staircase". This series of Locks climbing up the embankment of the escarpment got it's name from the Sailors and Lock Tenders that worked the Canal saying that the view of the locks in line of eachother resembled a staircase. With all the trees around today the staircase can no longer be seen as clear as it used to be years ago, but it's still there.

Unlike the first Canal (which is situated closer to Merritt St, running parallel to it), the second Canal channelled water to nearby industrial foundries to generate power or to supply water to the factory in need by use of Weirs. These were made up of cut stone just like the Locks were constructed with and like the Locks, a few of the Wiers are still visible today. Some are in rough shape, falling down and vandalized while others are in pretty good viewing condition - amazing given their age.

Presently, Merritton how it used to be in the late 1800's / early 1900's is getting clearer thanks to restoration projects. For example, what used to be Beaver Cotton Mills (amoung other businesses) is now a Steakhouse Restaurant (the brown sandstone building located close to the cache) the small Annex is only one third of the original building that used to stand here. Another factory, Lybster Cotton Mills sits across the street vacant with its exterior restored to how it looked a hundred years ago and a portion of Riordon Paper Mill still stands just east of the cache site on Merritt St.

The cache is located at one of the Weirs situated at the park nestled in the bush. Looking at the area around what is left of this structure it seems this is a popular place for irresponsible adolescents to runamuck, drink and demonstrate their "artistic talent". Every time I've visited during the day I've only run into someone wandering around on the trails with either their kids or dog. So as long as you do this during daylight hours, you shouldn't see anything out of the ordinary around here. Also, just as a heads up, this area is a haven for mosquitos and bees. And finally, as an added procaution incase you wander off the trail, be on the look out for broken glass.

After finding this cache, you may want to explore the area and walk around. If needed, you can find an excellent hiking guide with detail on all of the remnants in this park at the link below.

Additional notes about the Cache:

• Trails could be busy at times - use stealth!
• I don't endorse using structure remnants as jungle gyms.

Thanks & enjoy!