02-20-2014 OK Slip Falls

[nundagao]

Despite recently acquired access and new trail the DEC is "discouraging" use pending further infrastructure improvements, such as trailhead register and signage. To those with hiking in their blood, of course, any new trail that is not forbidden is compulsory. So, being at leisure on a bluebird day with new snow, Elisabeth, Carol, and I went for it. The trailhead is unmarked and gated and looks like a private driveway. However, a friendly fellow who lives nearby assured us we had found the right place and that we would have a broken trail to follow, as someone had just been in there yesterday. The berm of the main road and the parking area at the bottom of the hill were unplowed, so we left the car on a well-plowed side road a less-than-ten-minute walk up the hill from the gate. Shortly beyond the gate, the old wood road is marked with DEC markers. Further in, there are two junctions with official yellow-on-brown arrows pointing the way to the falls. After an hour we reached a sign that said 1 mile to the falls. That was a long mile. It took us 35 minutes to reach a steep, narrow descent where we left the skis and walked the last few hundred feet. The first lookout has a sign, and the trail ends at the second. Total time in and out was four hours, including snacks, wax, and pix. That's one more waterfall done. It promps the question, "How many named, back-country waterfalls are there in the Adirondacks?" BTW, I believe evidence exists to support the assertion that Essex County has more named waterfalls than any other county in the US and would challenge skeptics disprove it.

 

[Peakbagr]

Nice trip report. I could put you in touch with a friend who might point you to a county that might have more WFs, though.

Alan