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St Lawrence County has Four Seasons of Waterfall Hiking

posted by St Lawrence County at 2023-11-03 19:03:00

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Across St. Lawrence County —the biggest county in New York State—are gorgeous waterfalls that for 200 years have been magnets for industry and recreation. Today, no matter what season, you can still experience the beauty of these moving waters. Snowshoe Rainbow Falls or cross-country ski Hart’s Falls Preserve for winter-wonderful views. Take in the beautiful fall foliage at Lampson Falls on a crisp autumn afternoon or hike the falls at Greenwood Creek State forest in spring or summer to spot wildlife and wildflowers.

At many waterfalls there also remain hints of the county’s history, including remnants of long-gone mills that were among the largest in the state. And the falls themselves tell of the area’s past. Some 15,000 years ago, this region lay beneath a two-mile thick sheet of ice. After the glaciers receded, rivers formed new channels, flowing over rock ledges and creating the waterfalls of today.

Each St. Lawrence County waterfall has its own “personality.” If you don’t believe that, make your first stop the Tooley Pond Road section of the south branch of the Grasse River – you’ll find seven major waterfalls, all completely different in form as a response to the county’s geological history.

Explore the Falls with an Interactive Trail Map

With so many waterfalls to choose from, you’ll probably want to plan your adventure using the interactive trail map at www.STLCtrails.com. Not only can you see where all the beautiful waterfall hikes are located, but you’ll also find detailed information about locating trailheads, directions for parking, tips for navigating the trails, and more. There are even photo submissions from fellow hikers sharing their experiences – and you can submit your own photos to be featured on the site as well.

Printed & Electronic Waterfall Guides Are Also Available

If you’d like to have something to keep on hand during your hike, you can also pick up a free printed

Waterfall Guide at the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce office in Canton, NY, or request a free copy to be mailed to you, or you can download a digital version.

Do the Waterfall Crawl – A Great 8 Challenge

A great way to explore some of St. Lawrence County’s waterfalls is to embark on the Great 8 Challenge. This challenge features three different sets of trails, each one consisting of eight unique hikes. The Great 8 Waterfall Crawl features waterfall hikes that are family friendly, easily accessible, and beautiful year-round. Sneakers (or snowshoes!), a water bottle, snacks and your camera will ensure an exciting light adventure, whether you are just starting to explore trails, or you have a love for new outdoor experiences. The eight trails on this particular challenge invite you to visit waterfalls in the foothills of the northwest Adirondacks where the mountains start to fall towards the St. Lawrence River Valley.

To master the falls and complete the challenge, hike the whole series of these lesser known but still GREAT hikes where the foothills of the Adirondacks glisten year-round with falling waters:

Basford Falls
Greenwood Creek State Forest
Harper's Falls Trail
Hart's Falls Preserve
Heritage Park Trail/Cascade Falls
Lampson Falls Trail
Rainbow Falls
Sinclair Falls

Earn Your Waterfall Crawl Badge

To officially join the Great 8 Waterfall crawl challenge, use the www.STLCtrails.com interactive trail website to create a free account where you can log and document the trails you have completed. When you have a trail log for every trail in the challenge, you’ll receive a congratulatory email with a digital badge. You can also purchase a patch and a sticker from the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce office in Canton, NY.

More to Explore in St. Lawrence County
Plan a Weekend Getaway

Want to take your time exploring the majestic falls? Make a weekend of it! You can book your stay at www.VisitSTLC.com/places-to-stay and you’ll also find information about other things to do in the area, including a year-round event calendar featuring fun activities and celebrations for every season.

posted at: 2023-11-03 19:03:00, last updated: 2024-02-10 13:05:43

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