Falls on the Wynantskill

A place to discuss waterfalls. Including the parks that house them and the hikes to get to them.

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Jeduthan
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If you want to see the falls along the Wynantskill, plan a trip of several hours. In a relatively short stretch of the creek you’ll find eight separate waterfalls, ruins from 19th century industries, and terrain that will challenge you to get the best photos. The Wynantskill is located in South Troy.

The lowest set of falls is on the Wynantskill where Route 378 and Route 4 (aptly named Mill Street) border the stream. The best access for the lowest falls in the series is from the north side of the Wynantskill. Unfortunately there’s no shoulder on the road and no place to park nearby so you’ll have to park on a side street and walk back. There appears to be no postings between Route 4 and the stream. Just above the lowest falls is a dam. (42.703985 -73.692848)
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Jeduthan
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To access the next two falls the south bank provides the best access. The property is owned by Rensselaer County. It looks like a former monastery, and it appears part of Hudson Valley Community College. It’s probably best to check ahead about parking there, as the property is presently boarded up. Otherwise park on nearby side streets and walk in.

These two falls are surrounded by interesting remains of industrial buildings. You will have to hunt about for a safe way to descend to the falls. (42.703635 -73.689944) For the second set you may have to settle on viewing from the ledge.
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Jeduthan
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The third set is just below the Vandenburgh Ave bridge. Walk towards the bridge and you’ll find a way that leads to the stream bed, but it is steep. (42.703556 -73.6895)
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Jeduthan
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On your way to see the rest of the falls stop at the dam that forms Burden Pond, just above Vandenburgh Ave off of Campbell Ave. Following that, drive up to the small parking lot at the corner of Thompson Street and Delaware Ave, at the top of the hill. Look for a trail at the northeast corner of the lot. (42.706130 -73.688153)

From there you can enter the Burden Pond Environmental Park. Be aware the Rensselaer Land Trust advises “Burden Pond is in an urban area, and daylight hours are best for a visit. You should bring a friend along.”

The fourth set of falls is about ½ mile from the lot. The hike isn’t tough because the trails have been widened by motorcycle and ATV use. You’ll still have to clamber down a bank of loose shale to reach the creek bed. (42.707202 -73.680409)
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Jeduthan
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The fifth set is reached by a narrow path around the left side of the fourth falls. If the water is high this path will be submerged and you’ll have to climb up and over a rock outcropping.
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Jeduthan
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The next falls upstream might easily be called a set of rapids, as the drops are small. Perhaps it's best to visit to see it for yourself to decide...
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Jeduthan
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The seventh set of falls does its best to hide from view. Here the Wynantskill makes an ‘S’ bend with these falls tucked up against a rock ledge. From downstream all you can see is the very bottom of the falls as they tumble into the pool. Be prepared to wade into the stream to get a good photo. (42.707967 -73.679417)
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Jeduthan
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The eighth set is just above the seventh, and at a right angle to it. You can get a good view from the ledge facing it, or scramble down about 15 or 20 feet for a closer look. Look carefully before you descend to make sure you can scramble back up! Visible above these falls is a pipe that carried water from a dam the Wynantskill breached some time ago.

I set out to see the Wynantskill falls traveling by bicycle. Including a few side detours and walking about the woods and trails (dragging the bike along) the entire trip rolled up to about 60 miles. It took me about 8 hours for the trip, including about 3-1/2 hours at the Wynantskill and a bit more time for stops to take pictures along the way. I didn't have any concerns in the Burden Pond Environmental Park despite the ominous warning from the Rensselaer Land Trust. There were plenty of signs of activity - broken glass, trash here and there - but I only encountered a dirt biker and an ATV rider. I visited the Park on Sunday, and perhaps that's the reason I pretty much had the place to myself.
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