Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Watkins Glen State Park (Gorge) - NY (Waterfalls/Trails)

-1009 N Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, New York or on 414 (as if heading to the campground - larger) or 3310 Route 409, Watkins Glen, New York
-Visited August 2017
-multiple trails, generally 1.5 miles each way
-Moderate
-real bathrooms at all three parking areas
-nearby: Havana Glen, Deckertown Falls, She-qua-ga Falls, Aunt Sarah's Falls (Montour Falls), Hector Falls, Taughannock State Park, Buttermilk State Park, Robert Truman State Park
-notes:
     -all paved parking lots (of varying size - large), pay to park ($8), all have signs to mark the entrances
     -has picnic areas, pavilions, swimming pools, showers, and snack bars
     -Gorge:
        -all stone walkways and stairs! (over 700 constructed into walkway), trail is man made/carved with giant stone walls
        -walk alongside and underneath falls (some pour on the trail so prepare to get a little wet)
        -walkways get slick due to falls as well as run off (pulls mud in with it)
        -ok in low water but would be better in the spring with more water
        -minimal to no bugs, but has a lot of worms on the trail and millipedes on the walls
        -partial sun and shade, gets very hot and muggy as the day continues so try to go early. Cloudy day would be better for the falls so don't get glare
        -good views despite walls and limited trail access
        -minimal incline except for stairs, a lot of stepping due to stairs but no stepping if not on stairs
     -Indian Trail:
        -dirt with some stones and roots
        -no view of the falls
        -easier on the legs than the stairs, but has some incline of minimal grade, minimal stepping
        -well shaded but gets very warm (minimal breeze)
       -has a fence on the gorge side so can't fall in (or overlook gorge)
       -has two slight overlooks, one being an original bridge that crosses over a section of the gorge
     -GET HERE EARLY!!!! opens at 8AM, be here when it opens, gets very crowded/no parking by 10 am
     -guided tours begin at 10AM
     -trails are not marked but easy to follow, has signs at intersections to point which way to follow
     -no pets in the gorge, no swimming in the falls
     -no debris in the falls, mainly unobstructed

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