The trail system that leads to the falls is reclaimed land, once part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system and now a clean and level multiuse path that cuts south along the creek. Thanks to the efforts of Ontario Pathways, Inc, a non-profit centered in Canandaigua, the namesake trail is open to anyone as long as they respect the property and others who utilize it. The organization, since its inception in 1994, has purchased land, rebuilt bridges, kiosks and parking lots, and cleared and maintained 23 miles of the 12 foot wide trail. The result is a highly enjoyable sliver of reclaimed nature that allows for excellent recreation opportunities, access to the waterfalls of Flint Creek, a place for nature to thrive in the developing Finger Lakes Region, and a natural buffer for Flint Creek from neighboring development and agriculture.

Although not a grand drop, the first falls along the trail carries a lot of water, even in the dry days of summer. Its roar can be heard quite a distance down the trail. The massive limestone cuts of rock that shape the falls also line the embankment, allowing for people to get right up to the creek for a closer look and make for interesting photography compositions. For the quick and easy walk to get to the falls, it is certainly worth checking out.

The second falls is easily reached further south along the trail just upstream from an old rusty rail bridge and crumbling trestle. Not much of a falls, it barely reaches 3 ft high, but since you are already here, take a quick look.

From the parking area and information kiosk, head south. After about 1,300 ft cross a wooden bridge. 600 ft down the trail you will begin to hear the first waterfall. Scramble down the embankment to get a closer view. The land across the creek is private. The second waterfall is about 900ft further south along the trail, just past the old railroad trestles. It is located just upstream from the rusty metal bridge that takes you across Flint Creek. This is the last waterfall on the trail. Turn around and head back the way you came.

The village of Phelps began when one of the first settlers of the town, Seth Dean and Oliver Phelps, erected a grist mill on Flint Creek in 1792.
In 1812, Luther and Francis Root and Erastus Butler constructed a large woolen mill in the village. The mills and hodgepodge of industries that relied on them brought great prosperity to the village, growing its population to over 5 thousand. It was around this time that postal routes and railroads arrived, further opening the village to remote markets. The Pennsylvania Railroad's Northern Region of lines passed through Phelps (at what is now the Ontario Pathways trail) connecting Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with the resorts at Sodus Point on Lake Ontario.

What's that (slightly appetizing) smell?  It just may be sauerkraut. With its beginnings in 1967, the Phelps Sauerkraut Festival has been an annual celebration of this pickled and fermented cabbage. Why? During Phelp's industrial boom it was one of the largest producers of sauerkraut in the world. No more 'kraut factories operate in Phelps, but the memory lingers on with this annual 4-day festival held the first weekend in August. More info.