Trip Date: May 2018 | Location: New York
Mike and I are always looking for an excuse to head to our summer home in the Adirondacks. We found the perfect one in the Hamilton County Waterfall Challenge, which invites hikers and nature lovers to earn a commemorative badge by visiting a series of diverse, stunning waterfalls. With a business trip nearby, we laced up our boots and extended our stay to take on the mission.
When we arrived on May 4th, there was still snow on the ground, but we were lucky to find that our place had running water. After a quick haddock fish fry, we were ready to hit the trails.
Waterfalls Closest to Home
Our first stop was Death Falls, also known as Secret Falls, near Raquette Lake. It was a lovely cascade, and the heavy snowmelt meant the water was really flowing. On our way to the next fall, we were surprised to see so much ice still on Blue Mountain Lake and were thrilled to spot a Bald Eagle flying overhead.
Next up was Buttermilk Falls in Long Lake. This was an easy walk to a low-lying waterfall where the rushing water created a stunning rainbow. We liked it so much that we came back in July with our family to go swimming and have a picnic. The easiest waterfall of the challenge was Squaw Brook Falls, which we spotted from a bridge. This small fall leads to Indian Lake, and a perfect waterfall to see by kayak.
With three waterfalls under our belt by noon, we decided to tackle a more difficult one: OK Slip Falls.
The three-mile trek to OK Slip Falls is a hiker’s delight, offering a blend of moderate terrain and rewarding views. At 200 feet, the waterfall is higher than Niagara Falls and well worth the navigation through the occasional muddy patch and rocky crossings. While the challenging terrain kept our heart rates up, we couldn’t help but pause frequently to admire the local passerines—like the Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black-capped Chickadee, and a stunning Yellow-rumped Warbler in breeding plumage.
The falls were absolutely stunning, with a huge drop and ice still clinging to the rocks below. The five-hour round trip earned us four points and an unexpected fall on my butt, but we’d do it all again.
Speculator and Wells Area Waterfalls
On Sunday, we only needed five more points to earn our badge, and a Broad-winged Hawk sighting was a great start to the day. We headed toward Speculator to find Christine Falls, a 20-foot waterfall just down from the power dam that’s a local swimming hole.
Our excursion to Auger Falls was a standout hike, featuring a beautiful path that follows the winding course of the Sacandaga River before opening up to a powerful, 40-foot cascade. It’s exactly the kind of trail that reminds us why the Adirondacks are a premier destination for anyone looking to connect with the rugged beauty of the outdoors.
Continuing our journey through Wells, we found East Jimmy Creek Falls. It’s actually two small falls, but we retreated after the first one when we heard gunshots toward the next falls. Then we found Austin Falls, a long waterslide-type fall. Our last stop was Whiskey Brook Falls, conveniently located right next to the road. The huge boulders surrounding the falls were a sight to behold.
Birds and Badges
We may have been on a mission, but we still managed to spot a few birds along the way. We finished the weekend with 13 bird species and 13 points, earning our badge! There are still 10 waterfalls on the list we didn’t get to, so we’re already looking forward to our next trip. We are so grateful to Hamilton County for putting out this challenge and encouraging us to explore all these new places.
Resources for Your Adventure
If you’re looking for more inspiration, here are some great resources to help you plan your next outing:
- Looking for more challenges? Check out the full range of activities and programs available through the Hamilton County Challenge.
- Explore further: For those chasing falls beyond Hamilton County, this comprehensive Guide to all NY State Waterfalls is a fantastic tool for planning future trips.
- Pro Tip: While these trails are beautiful year-round, the best time to go is after the spring snowmelt, when the cascades are at their most powerful and impressive.
Trip Summary:
Trip Totals: 13 species • 0 life birds
Next up: Ottawa Birding – Read about our birding in Algonquin and Ottawa City highlights.
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