Oxbow Falls, Clockville

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

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Matt
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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. :shock:
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.
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This is from the first overlook.  Oneida Lake can be seen in the distance.
This is from the first overlook. Oneida Lake can be seen in the distance.
oxbow vista 4 web.jpg (46.67 KiB) Viewed 23702 times
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Matt
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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!
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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 :cry:
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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!
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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
Image

the 2nd falls
Image
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