Cornell University

Lace Falls, New York

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Lace Falls is a freebie that comes with a visit to one of the many waterfalls in Ithaca, New York. The interesting thing about the other waterfall is that it seems to have many different names: Wells Falls, Businessman’s Lunch Falls, or Van Natta’s Falls.

Lace Falls in May 2009

I don’t honestly remember the hike down to the falls as I visited Lace Falls 13 years ago and am just now getting to writing about it. Luckily I wrote about Wells Falls way back when, so the trail directions are down below. Once you get to the base of Wells Falls, Lace Falls is flowing off to the side. It’s a separate waterfall from Wells Falls. After a good rainfall, it will be impressive. If it’s been dry, there may not be much of a waterfall!

Directions:

  1. From the center of Ithaca, head out on East NY-79.
  2. You’ll pass the intersection for NY-366, but do not turn here. Shortly after that, you’re going to turn onto Water St.
  3. Water St. will end at the parking lot of a nature preserve that is right next to Six Mile Creek.
  4. Park in the nature preserve and walk across Giles St. and over the bridge that crosses Six Mile Creek.
  5. After you have passed the bridge, you have two options. First option: There is a trail that has been widely used that you will come up to first. This trail can give you some very good views of the crest of the falls, but not the base. If you continue on the trail, you will most likely end up with the trail ending abruptly. Second option: If you go a very short distance further, you’ll will notice a somewhat inclined trail/rock road/path that leads downward. If you follow this trail, you’ll end up with a much better view of the base of the falls. Try both options for multiple photo opportunities.

Accessibility: 7/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 75′
Length of Hike: 0.2 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Lace Falls?

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Cascadilla Falls #3, New York

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The third major drop in the Cascadilla Gorge (May 2009)

Of the three waterfalls I saw in the Cascadilla Gorge, the third waterfall in was my favorite. The bridge crossing over the river is very picturesque and scenic, and just added to the beauty of the waterfall. The waterfall itself is not that tall, though it is still very enjoyable. If you look on the left side of the picture, you’ll notice the trail that leads up the gorge, and that trail passes directly next to the falls. The trail past this point looked a little less safe, which is likely why the gorge was closed in early May.

Note: The Gorge Trail may be closed until mid-May. When we visited in early May, it was essentially closed, though I did see the first three falls. After that, we turned around.

Directions:

  1. When you’re in Ithaca, try to somehow get to Linn Street. A GPS system would probably be very helpful if you don’t know the area. You can try and park on Linn Street, though when I visited, that was virtually impossible. It is much easier to park on one of the streets running perpendicular to Linn. I parked at a parking meter near a church.
  2. Head back to the entrance to the Gorge, which looks like a park.
  3. Start walking up the gorge.

Accessibility: 8/10 (easy/moderate, I haven’t experienced the whole hike, but I gather it gets much less accessible as you continue on.)
Height: 15′
Length of Hike: 0.4 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Cascadilla Falls #3?

Wells Falls, New York

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Wells Falls (also known as Businessman’s Lunch Falls or Van Natta’s Falls) is one of my favorite waterfalls near Ithaca. This one is off in a different area of Ithaca, but is still relatively easy to view. Well, once you get to it. Traffic and driving in Ithaca can be difficult. To get to Wells Falls, you’re either going up an incline or driving down it. Either way, you’ve got make some pretty quick turns, otherwise you’ll miss the roads leading to the waterfall.

Once you’ve gotten to the waterfall, enjoy the old dam/power plant/whatever it is that is right next to the falls. It’s windows are shuddered up, but that just makes this waterfall all the more interesting. Getting to the base of the falls is also a cool thing to do, though this does involve trying to figure out how to get down to the base in the first place. Once you’re down at the base, pay attention for two other smaller waterfalls that may be falling down the cliffs. These waterfalls will probably be more apparent in spring.

Directions:

  1. From the center of Ithaca, head out on East NY-79.
  2. You’ll pass the intersection for NY-366, but do not turn here. Shortly after that, you’re going to turn onto Water St.
  3. Water St. will end at the parking lot of a nature preserve that is right next to Six Mile Creek.
  4. Park in the nature preserve and walk across Giles St. and over the bridge that crosses Six Mile Creek.
  5. After you have passed the bridge, you have two options. First option: There is a trail that has been widely used that you will come up to first. This trail can give you some very good views of the crest of the falls, but not the base. If you continue on the trail, you will most likely end up with the trail ending abruptly. Second option: If you go a very short distance further, you’ll will notice a somewhat inclined trail/rock road/path that leads downward. If you follow this trail, you’ll end up with a much better view of the base of the falls. Try both options for multiple photo opportunities. You’ll also see Lace Falls, which is a freebie waterfall.

Accessibility: 7/10 (easy/moderate)
Height: 65′
Length of Hike: 0.2 miles round-trip

Wells Falls in May 2009

Where in the World is Wells Falls?

Rocky Falls, New York

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Scattered throughout the Cornell University campus are a number of waterfalls. I was walking around the campus one day with my camera and found this waterfall. At the time, I didn’t even know it’s name, since there’s no reason to advertise the numerous waterfalls. People will find them without much difficulty.

I believe there are other viewpoints of Rocky Falls than just from above. I’m just not sure how to get to them, partly because I wasn’t really paying attention at the time. There are other falls in Fall Creek Gorge, so pay attention!

Directions:

  1. I’m not even sure how to give directions to this waterfall. Cornell University’s campus, as with many other campuses, is not easy to navigate. It may be easier to do so in the summer when there are fewer students around. Parking is also extremely difficult to find, but it does become more available after 5 or 6 pm.
  2. One option for viewing the falls is going onto Cornell’s campus, and finding Fall Creek Drive. Fall Creek runs parallel. There may be parking there, though I can’t remember.
  3. Multiple pedestrian suspension bridges cross the river. The view of the falls comes from one of the pedestrian suspension bridge shown in this.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy, from above)
Height: 25′
Length of Hike: variable depending on starting location

Rocky Falls in March 2006

Where in the World is Rocky Falls?

Cascadilla Falls #1, New York

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When we arrived in early May, most of the Cascadilla Gorge Trail was closed. We were able to see the first three falls in the gorge, and then the rest of the trail was blocked. If you want to see more of the gorge and more falls, you should show up in mid-May or later.

The first drop that I viewed on the Cascadilla Gorge was a very nice cascading waterfall that doesn’t really even require entry onto the gorge trail. It can be seen at the entrance of the park. It is also the furthest downriver. A short hike will get you closer to the falls, though.

Directions:

  1. When you’re in Ithaca, try to somehow get to Linn Street. A GPS system would probably be very helpful if you don’t know the area. You can try and park on Linn Street, though when I visited, that was virtually impossible. It is much easier to park on one of the streets running perpendicular to Linn. I parked at a parking meter near a church.
  2. Head back to the entrance to the Gorge, which looks like a park.
  3. Start walking up the gorge.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy, I haven’t experienced the whole hike, but I gather it gets much less accessible as you continue on.)
Height: 15′
Length of Hike: 0.2 miles round-trip

The first falls in the Cascadilla Gorge in May 2009

Where in the World is Cascadilla Falls #1?

Ithaca Falls, New York

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The whole time I lived near Ithaca, I had a hunch that there were some waterfalls nearby…I didn’t realize that there were so many in the city itself, many of them very easy to get to. I would have visited Ithaca Falls when I lived there if I had known! I decided to go back this year once I found out what great waterfalls were in the area.

If you’re only in Ithaca for a short time, it can be difficult to decide which waterfalls to visit. This is one that is very easy to visit, so check it out. The most difficult part is getting to the waterfall. Since it’s a college town, it’s crazy to try to navigate around the city. Add to that the extremely varied terrain, and you could get yourself lost without much difficulty. GPS is probably a necessity if you do not live in the area.

One point before the directions…Ithaca Falls is much larger than it appears in photos. It’s a perspective deception.

Directions:

  1. From NY-79 in Ithaca, head north on Cayuga St.
  2. Turn right onto E. Falls St.
  3. Head to the end of E. Falls St. We couldn’t find the dirt parking lot others have referred to, so we parked for a short period of time next to an apartment complex.
  4. The short trail to the falls starts at the end of Falls St.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 100′
Length of Hike: 0.15 miles round-trip

Ithaca Falls in May 2009

Where in the World is Ithaca Falls?

Lake Treman Falls, New York

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Lake Treman Falls in May 2009

I guess I’m not even sure if Lake Treman Falls is a truly natural waterfall. It definitely looks like it is. The historical information provided on the trail seemed to indicate, though, that the waterfall was created when a river/lake was dammed. Maybe I misunderstood the sign.

Oh well, whatever the case with Lake Treman Falls, it’s still a very pretty waterfall. It is found in Buttermilk Falls State Park in Ithaca, though this falls is somewhat removed from the other more prominent falls in the park. In order to access Lake Treman Falls, you can hike from the gorge/rim trails to the falls, or you can just park right near the waterfall, since there is a paved road that leads directly to this one waterfall.

While you’re visiting Lake Treman Falls, check out the area surrounding the falls. In the picture, you may notice a foot bridge crossing right above the falls. This bridge leads to a very interesting stone dam/structure, whatever it is.

Directions:

  1. There are multiple ways to access this entrance to the park. I think the easiest is to get onto NY-96B (aka Danby Rd.) heading south from Ithaca.
  2. Heading south, you will come to W. King Road. Turn right onto W. King Road.
  3. Head to the sign for the entrance to Upper Buttermilk Falls State Park. Turn into the entrance
  4. Keep heading down this paved road. It will end after a mile or so. Park here.
  5. You should be able to see the falls directly from that parking area. You can head up the very short trail to get different views of the falls if you would like.

Accessibility: 10/10 (easy)
Height: 30′
Length of Hike: 0.2 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Lake Treman Falls?

Cascadilla Falls #2, New York

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The second waterfall in the Cascadilla Gorge (May 2009)

I wish I could have seen the whole of Cascadilla Gorge this past May, but there were signs posted saying that parts of the gorge were closed. I saw the first three falls, but didn’t go any further.

This is the second falls in the gorge, assuming that you start at the Linn Street entrance. This falls actually drops for a ways, takes a 90 degree turn and continues on its journey.

Directions:

  1. When you’re in Ithaca, try to somehow get to Linn Street. A GPS system would probably be very helpful if you don’t know the area. You can try and park on Linn Street, though when I visited, that was virtually impossible. It is much easier to park on one of the streets running perpendicular to Linn. I parked at a parking meter near a church.
  2. Head back to the entrance to the Gorge, which looks like a park.
  3. Start walking up the gorge.

Accessibility: 9/10 (easy, I haven’t experienced the whole hike, but I gather it gets much less accessible as you continue on.)
Height: 20′
Length of Hike: 0.3 miles round-trip

Where in the World is Cascadilla Falls #2?