Bastion Falls, New York

When I looked up this waterfall just now, I tried to determine whether the term “bastion” related to the name. I’m not sure if I figured that out (lol)…Bastion Falls is interesting in that it’s at the start of the hike for a much larger, impressive waterfall: Kaaterskill Falls. Kaaterskill Falls is considered one of the tallest waterfalls in New York, and the drops are impressive.

So Bastion Falls is kind of the outer wall of the fortress. It hides the more impressive feature further along the trail. It is a pretty waterfall on its own, but it gets lost next to its bigger brother. Since the drops are along the same creek (Spruce Creek), this could be considered one bigger waterfall, possibly. The larger falls are about a half-mile hike from Bastion Falls, so it’s far enough away to likely be considered its own waterfall. It could be called Lower Kaaterskill Falls, though. That’s a lot to say it’s a nice waterfall, but you’ll be looking forward to the bigger falls.

One interesting note: I try to rate the “accessibility” of a waterfall soon after I visit so I don’t forget how easy or difficult it is. I know you can see Bastion Falls from the road as you drive by, but there is no parking at the start of the trail (AT ALL). So you have to park at a designated area and then walk back to the falls ON THE BUSY ROAD. And the curves make it difficult to see whether a car may be coming. I rated it as easy/moderate. If you could stop at the falls and get out, it would be easy. But walking on the busy made makes it less “accessible” and a bit dangerous. It’s not the hike to the falls that’s add some level of difficulty, it’s the cars you can’t see that add the level of difficulty!

Directions:

1. I did not take the exit from I-87 to get to the falls, so I don’t really know what exit you would take, considering it’s a toll road with limited exits. I instead started on US-9W, and turned onto NY-23A heading east at the junction of these two roads.
2. Continue heading east along NY-23A, passing under I-87. Keep going along 23A past the junction with NY-32.
3. NY-23A will start climbing uphill with some sharp, curvy turns. At some point along the road, the speed limit is reduced drastically, you will take an extremely sharp curve, crossing the bridge over Kaaterskill Creek. If you look to your right, you’ll see Bastion Falls.
4. Pass over that bridge, and shortly after that (about 0.2 miles or so), you’ll come to a parking area on your left. It could be very easy to pass, so pay careful attention. If you pass this, I’m not sure when the next place to turn around is.
5. From the parking area, you will then have to head back to the bridge and Kaaterskill Creek. This is along the curvy, winding road, and at times you will be walking along a road with absolutely no shoulder. Be extremely careful.
6. Cross over the bridge, and the start of the trail should be to your left. (You would be heading upstream.) You’ll know you’re in the right place since there’s a sign for Kaaterskill Falls.

Accessibility: 8/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 30′
Distance of Hike: 0.5-mile round-trip (on a paved road with cars driving by)

Where in the World is Bastion Falls?