Oxbow Falls, Clockville

[Matt]

I checked this out today. Supposedly 3 falls dropping nearly 100 feet each down a portion of the Helderberg Escarpment that is shaped like an oxbow. It's a Madison County Park that was not in great condition, but not terrible either. It has restrooms, drinking fountains, picnic tables, and an 18-hole Frisbee golf course (yes, that’s right, FRISBEE GOLF).

Here's the TOPO MAP

A short hike led us to the top of the first falls. A little water was flowing but enough to get a good shot. So we continued on hoping the sun would go away long enough for us to get some good photos. The trail winds and winds down the escarpment. To the point where we had no idea which falls we were crossing. I counted only 2, repeatedly as we criss-crossed them, and several small falls as the streams reached the road at the bottom. The big drops (supposedly similar to Pratt’s Falls were heard but not seen. I wondered upstream once we reached the bottom, but two things prevented me from continuing. The rocks were covered in slippery slime and moss, and a suspicious-looking cave in the limestone cliff went in deep and dark with a well-used entry way through the bush. There are bears in this area and if not, coyotes and other things that can scare me enough to fall on my ass. So I figured I’m not going to risk it crossing in front of this cave. Not until I go with someone I can push down to aid in my escape.

The hike was quite nice. We saw a huge variety of plant and birds as we went down the escarpment. It was a nice workout as well.

So I didn’t get to see the Oxbow Falls. But when the site grows larger and we take on some people that actually know their way around that park, I’m hoping I can return, with a guide.

I noticed this on the Topo map... looks like a falls from Limestone Creek, dumping into Clockville Creek, called Buttermil Falls.... about 120 Feet.

[ShanaD]

I thought that this falls was in Onieda county. Maybe?

Also, there is frisbee golf park that we wanderred onto during our hike.

[ShanaD]

The hike in this park was a good one, the only thing that really bothered me was the constant sound of cicadas.

[madtour]

It is in Madison County, and we were there last week. The hike is perfect for families and it is a really nice park to explore. It is about 4 miles south of NYS Thruway exit 34. The biggest problem seems to be lack of water flowing in the summer, but I'm sure it is quite beautiful when their is plenty of water in the streams. I have a picture of the view from one of the overlooks that I took.

[Matt]

I would have figured there's be something flowing this summer- with all the rain we've been having.
Welcome to the forum madtour- and thanks for posting that photo!

[backpacker]

We haven't been getting much rain out this way. North of the thruway has been but not south, I've been back for 3 days and Rome has gotten good rain every day, but where I live (OFalls) it only sprinkled once

[dee13409]

We were just at Oxbow Falls Park 2 days ago. The board says "home of 3 waterfalls, one being over 100 feet". So only one is that tall. I was able to see the tall one from the pull off on the road between the disc gulf entrance and the main park entrance. While in the park, we saw all three. One must walk the trails to see the waterfalls. There is no good view of the tall one, not safely anyway. We just kept walking and walking. I don't think we covered all the trails, not for lack of trying though. There are a couple of overlooks with beautiful views. Was a nice park considering it is free. We didn't have a camera with us so I have no pics. Next time, I'll remember to bring one with me!

[backpacker]

They need to clear out the viewing points to realy see these two falls. Took these pictures on Dec. 27, 2008

This is the 1st falls


the 2nd falls

[Matt]

That's the first I'm seeing of them. I think I'll have to get there for the spring melt.

[backpacker]

I tried walking upstream over the summer but the under growth was over whelming. This park was on the way home from Chittenango so we stopped to take a picture or two.

[champy1013]

Hmmm, this sounds like it could be my next destination - perhaps this weekend!

[backpacker]

A nice little place to walk, the falls are hidden by the trees but you can find a few places to shoot from. I would like to join ya but working Sat. and doing two firetowers on Sunday.

Stockbridge Falls isn't too far from Oxbowl, they would be worth the visit if your comming this far out.

Stockbridge Falls

jim

[Matt]

You may be able to get to the base of the falls. Trails go down there, but get confusing fast.

[champy1013]

I was out here this past November, kinda forgot about the pics, probably subconsciously forgot about them because they weren't that good and the waterflow was lacking. I got to the bottom by walking opposite of the falls then scrambling down the bank.
1st falls (left one)

Below the first falls:

Mid way up the 2nd falls:

A nearby plunge up the road from the park


lots of 'stuff' in the way, no defined trails to the bottom, viewing is through the trees. I would go back during spring run off - and in fact, may be the only time to go. This reminds me A LOT like 3 Falls Woods in Manlius, which only show it's true character early in the season.

[Matt]

i got lost ... found one of the three falls... it was almost dry. So at least you found something.. and got decent photos to boot.

[pgflyer1]

Matt: The next time you go down to Clockville,NY, you may want to check out another falls in the general area too.
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=43.02749,-75.74468&z=15&t=T I met someone recently, He & his wife were down there sometime ago. He had a picture of this falls on his cell phone, that he showed me. It looked like a nice falls and you can see a glimpse of it from the road. I marked it on your acme mapper. There's a " moose " crossing sign on the side of the road where you'll see the falls from road. There is a cave below falls area too, BUT it's a shallow cave with some unusual natural carvings. I saw a picture of that too. When you go to view other falls you marked on map, take someone with you that is either: short & stocky or older. This way if there's any bears in that cave, you'll make a quick exit and let bears take the slower runners LMBO ! Sorry I'm not available I'll get to the fellow that has pictures on his phone and see if he can email me pixs to post on here. To give you an idea of what the falls looks like. marty

[Matt]

Marty,
that Acme Mapper link just points to the park.

[pgflyer1]

Matt: Maybe I pasted wrong map here. Here's a new copy of link I was talking about:
http://mapper.acme.com/?ll=43.02875,-75 ... ville%20NY
Yes it does show the park area too ! Ballon "B" is where the other falls is that a friend told me about. Once I get over to where he works, I'll get him to email pictures of it to me. That's the best I can do ! If someone is going down there to take pictures where you were ? It doesn't seem to be that far away to go over and check out the other location.... Just trying to help !
marty

[Matt]

That's still within the park... the park has three major falls each one within the dip in the oxbow shape of the scarp. Two are seasonal, the one you point on that map is the largest of the tributaries.