The Catskill and Adirondack Mountains in eastern New York State have many marvelous waterfalls along hikes of all lengths as well as roadside. Doing road trips over the last few years, here are a few falls you may enjoy that involved no more than 1/2 mile walk. If you love waterfalls as much as I do, take a look at New York State. Compared to the West, walking in the northeast feels like a cool, moist, moss-covered jacket that envelopes and beckons you to slow down, look around, and enjoy.
If you are not familiar with this area, the Catskills (C on map) are south of the state capital of Albany. The Adirondacks (A on map) are north of Albany and include Lake George, Brandt Lake, Schroon Lake, and many more lakes of all sizes. New York State has gorgeous parks to explore and offers all types of recreational activities across the 6.1 million acres of Adirondack State Park and 600,000 acres of Catskill State Park. The best part? Easy access along I-87 which follows the Hudson River north from metro areas around New York City.
Peekamoose Road in Sundown, NY, has six waterfalls roadside within a few miles. Buttermilk Falls and five others named Falls 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. That is a bit lame, but easy. A few we could not find in the thick forest, but enjoyed the search. I know you are wondering, as was I, are there moose along Peekamoose Road?
Well, it is tough to sort through the tall tales popular among locals. Apparently over the last 10 years or so moose have extended their range into areas further south from Maine and Canada, but it is very unusual to see them in the Catskills. They are in the Adirondacks, but still not an everyday sight. While here I did not see a moose, but I did see a mink run across the road! Too fast for a picture, but open source has one for us. Mink are members of the weasel family, about 20 inches long, excellent swimmers, and primarily eat fish. No wonder they live here with all the creeks, streams, and ponds. Mink are found across the entire USA–have you seen one?
It is a bit of a scramble to the pool beneath Buttermilk Falls, but summertime human visitors swim in the cool water.
It is a lovely area with lots of flat rocks on which to relax and enjoy the cool forest and falls.
I think this is Falls 2, a short walk from Buttermilk. We could hear the falls, but could get no closer due to felled trees and steep edges.
This sweet falls was a bit tough to get to with the steep edges, all the foliage in bloom, and downed trees everywhere, but success!
There is a hodgepodge of private land and state land here. As a result, “no trespassing” is emblazoned across some waterfall’s access paths. This lovely falls was tough to photograph without trespassing, but one foot on private land gave me the shot! Don’t tell.
Our last small group of drops, but the surrounding forest is so inviting.
Near the town of Napanoch and a short walk along Rondout Creek, we find one of the Honk Falls. Apparently there are a number of falls, much larger than this, along the creek up to Honk Lake Dam. From this point reaching the other falls is a bushwhacking adventure so time to head to out.
This is the first tier of two-tiered Kaaterskill Falls along Spruce Creek near Haines Falls. This top tier drops 175 feet, the lower drop is 85 feet. The problem during our visit–rain. It is a strenuous walk on rocks and rock stairs to hike the length of the falls. We did not risk it in wet weather. However, even in the rain this area is stunning!
Kaaterskill is one of the tallest waterfalls in New York at 260 feet. It is also one of the countries oldest tourist attractions made popular by the many poems, books, and paintings featuring this area since the 1800s. Some of the most famous paintings from the Hudson River School artists center on this waterfall.
Downstream from Kaaterskills Falls is Bastion Falls. It must be spectacular as the snow melts off the mountains. Bastion Falls is easily be seen from NY-23A. There is a small parking area up the road giving us a short walk to the falls. This is also the trailhead for the hike up to Kaaterskills Falls, and it is a steep “up”. Aside from the falls, this area is popular for Hunter Mountains Ski Resort, about eight miles west of here.
What is fascinating at Bastion Falls are all the “gardens” growing along the flowing water’s path.
Near the eastern edge of Lake George, Shelving Rock Brook flows into small ponds and then over Shelving Rock Falls. It is another overcast day, but that never stopped us before! All the ponds offer beautiful reflections of the surrounding forests and riparian areas.
This is the most sun we’ve seen all day.
Shelving Rock Falls is a 50 foot drop with the brook continuing about 1/8 mile to Lake George. Since this is July with typical summer low water levels, the falls are sparse. In spring we could not stand here for the volume of water rushing over the rocks.
The most amazing thing about this short walk along the brook is the mushrooms! Bright red, white, orange, brilliant yellow, black. All shapes and all sizes. Being dark and cool in the woods, seemingly little sunlight able to penetrate the forest canopy, mushrooms love this place. They are everywhere! (PS–no, I did not take a bite!)
Our last stop is Rainbow Falls at Ausable Chasm near Keeseville. Called the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks”, it is a 2-mile gorge ranging from 20′ to 50′ feet wide and up to 200′ deep. It is also the nation’s first tourist attraction and draws many visitors still today.
Rainbow Falls in on the Ausable River (originally Au Sable, French for “sandy’) and flows northeast to Lake Champlain. Yes, I know, rivers east of the Mississippi River “should” run north to south, but it is all about the lay of the land. This water is coming from high points of 5,300 feet in the Adirondacks to Lake Champlain’s shore at 100 feet. It is downhill all the way, even if it is south to north.
So many places to see, so little time! Don’t miss eastern New York State. It offers something for everyone, and there are many more waterfalls to love!!
Until next time . . .
