Photo: The Chimney

More about Buttermilk Falls State Park...

Buttermilk Creek descends more than 500 feet in a series of cascades and rapids. A natural pool at the base of Buttermilk Falls provides swimming with the feel of an old swimming hole. Upstream, a scenic trail circles Lake Treman. The park features 5 trails that wander through a remarkable variety of landscapes. Visible from the state park entrance, cascading Buttermilk Falls is the largest of 10 falls along Buttermilk Creek as it plunges 600 feet to the valley. For real beauty hike the stairs into the heart of the gorge.

The nature trails in the park include Gorge Trail, which follows the Buttermilk Creek as it cascades dropping about 500 feet along the trail. Gorge Trail is complemented by Rim Trail on the other side of the creek, which make for a loop of about 1.5 miles. Beyond these two trails is the Bear Trail which continues up Buttermilk Creek to Lake Treman Falls and Lake Treman. The trail to and around the lake is another 1.5 miles. At the far end of the lake is a spur of the Finger Lakes Trail. Another trail in the park is the Larch Trail, which circles a marsh near the main (lower) parking area and is about 1 mile in length. The best view of the falls are along the Gorge Trail, although the creek loses much of its flow whenever rain is scarce.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buttermilk_Falls_State_Park
http://nysparks.com/parks/151/

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