Taughannock Falls, Ulysses, New York, USA

Just a short drive up the western side of Cayuga Lake from Ithaca you can enjoy the natural wonder of the Taughannock Falls. At 215-feet high, the falls is higher than Niagara! The gorge trail is mostly level and provides a wide walking trail directly beside the bubbling and tumbling creek as it makes its way downstream from the falls to empty into the lake. (Image of the park display board on site).



This view is at the Falls Overlook on the north side of the park accessible by trail or road.



If you bicycle, there are many racks just waiting for you. (Black and white rendering).



Here's where the stream empties into Cayuga Lake.



The nearby town of Trumansburg has that turn-of-the-century feel and look typical of the Finger Lakes Region.



The town offices. A beautiful region this part of New York State.

Three Views of Taughannock Falls, Ulysses, New York, USA

I enjoyed another visit to the powerful and delightful Taughannock Falls just north of Ithaca on the west side of Cayuga Lake.

The spray and mist has frozen on the side walls adding another element of beauty to the view.



There were a few hearty souls, dogs, and babies out but, the cold and wind seems to have kept most folks away. I have been enjoying free access to the park. In the off season, the park does not charge an entrance fee. Once the season begins, it will cost $8/car to park and enter. 

Taughannock Falls State Park, Ulysses, New York, USA

Taughannock Falls State Park is located about a 15-minute drive outside Ithaca on the west side of Cayuga Lake. Walk about 3/4 of a mile from the parking area and you encounter this spectacular falls. At 215-feet, it is three stories taller than Niagara Falls in western New York.



With all the recent rain in the area, the volume of water flow was impressive. It is the tallest single-drop plunge-type waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains in the United States. It is absolutely awesome!



A mostly level cinder trail winds along minor riffles and waterfalls as the flow drains into Cayuga Lake. Easy walking.

I don't recall seeing this sign anywhere recently - yes, that's a big chuck of ice that fell from the gorge wall.



At the bottom as the water joins the lake, this beautifully crafted wood and stone stairway arches over the flow.



A mile of so west of the lower falls parking area, there is an observation area that offers this beautiful view - clouds and all. There is a trail (closed this time of year) and a roadway to access the overlook.

Taughannock Falls (map at this link) is clearly the crown jewel of waterfalls in the local Ithaca area.

Taughannock Falls State Park, Finger Lakes Region, Ulysses, New York, USA

The main cataract of Taughannock Falls is a 215-foot drop (66 m), making it 33 feet (10 m) taller than Niagara Falls. Who would have thought? It is the tallest single-drop waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains and a popular state park and tourist destination near Ithaca in the Finger Lakes Region of New York state.

I am always happy to see young folks outside enjoying our natural world.

For scale, just to the right of center, there are many humans standing observing the falls in the damp, windy spray.

The lower falls were popular places for tourist pictures.......

.......or for just wiggling your toes in the cool water on a hot summer day.

Toe-wiggling was not just confined to the kids either.

Having moved to the northeast United States from California almost twenty years ago, I am still struck by the abundance of freshwater in this part of the world.