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Guppy Falls
Location -Located in the Skaneateles Conservation Area, Town of Skaneateles  Onondaga County
Maps - Google MapMulti
GPS/Locations - N 42.9673 / W 76.3921
Directions - From Marcellus follow Route 133, the Old Seneca Turnpike, to the intersection of Gully Road. Turn down Gully Road and follow for ¾ of a mile until you see a turn-out on the right for Guppy Falls.
From Skaneateles, follow New Seneca Turnpike, Route 41, for 1.5 miles until the intersection of Gully Road. Take a left on Gully Road and follow for 1 mile until you see the turn-out on the left.
Or use Google Maps.
 

 
Information
Number of falls:
1
Size/Types:  20 ft cascade over the shale bedrock that is typical of the area.
Best time to visit: Spring, early summer, and fall for the best water flow. Also right after rain.
Flow: Variable, depending on rainfall. Will be a trickle during dry summers.
Waterway:
unnamed tributary into Ninemile Creek.
Time: 1 hour
Accessibility
Seasons/Hours: Year round. All day, all night.
Parking:
A pullover on Gully Road.
Admission: Free
Handicap accessibility: no
Pets: Allowed on leash.
Accommodations: the conservation area has picnic tables, pavilion, hiking trails.
Description...
Guppy Falls is located in the Skaneateles Conservation Area, a unique habitat protected by the Town of Skaneateles by purchasing land around the area from owners and farmers in order to preserve the unique ecosystem. The area contains two ponds, numerous acres of wetland habitat and stream access.

Guppy Falls is typical of many of the small feeder streams in the Finger Lakes area. The bedrock is shale, and the stream flow is very dependent on rainfall. The falls itself is roughly 20 ft high, sloping over slippery shale, with a slightly overhanging segment at the top. There are many small flumes and cascades along the way to the Guppy Falls that make good photo opportunities as well.

Trails
Difficulty: Easy or difficult.
From the parking area, there is a well marked trail that goes up above the gully to the right-hand side. This goes for about a mile and leads to a nice view of the falls from a vantage point above. The trail continues on above the falls and offers a nice walk in the gully.

You can also choose to creek walk up from the road to the falls, which is more difficult but provides you with access to numerous smaller cascades along the way.

History...
The Skaneateles Conservation Area has a very unique history. On many maps – including the current Google Street Maps, the area is still pegged as a “US Military Reservation.”

According to local records, the land was purchased by the military for the purpose that soldiers stationed at local bases and armory, such as Hancock Field, would have a place for recreation, camping, and even partying. When the military stopped using the area, it became known for a popular place for high-schoolers to hang out on weekend nights.

Having issues with late night underage activities, the Town of Skaneateles purchased the land, as well as some surrounding acreage, and created the Skaneateles Conservation Area. Over the years, trails have been created, picnic benches put in, and a nice pavilion and parking area were constructed near the northern end of the park. Families come to picnic here or  fish in one of the many small ponds in the area.

The area is a multi-use area – with some small scale logging and hunting allowed during hunting season. It is advisable for hikers to be aware that hunters may be on the land during May and in November and December.

Do not miss...
Explore the Skaneateles Conservation Area. From Guppy Falls you can either hike along the road north where you will find a trail head on the right side of the road that will lead you to the rest of the park and the ponds. You can also travel north on Gully Road until you reach the turnpike. Head east on the turnpike until you see a sign for the upper part of the Conservation Area.

New Hope Mills in the Spring through  Fall, which is located about a mile down south on 41A from the falls.

Photography Tips
▪ The Gully is relatively shaded and secluded so light is very diffuse. Visit after a summer rainstorm for a unique view of a roaring falls in a very small and shallow gully ravine.
▪ Use a polarizer lens and attempt different viewpoints of the falls from under the trees to the right for a unique effect.
▪ Keep your gear safe and dry. The difficult hike may get you dirty and wet. Be sure to protect your gear in case of a fall.
▪ See the Articles section for more waterfall photography tips.
Weather
Skaneateles, New York, weather forecast
Contact
The Town of Skaneateles
24 Jordan Street
Skaneateles, NY 13152
Phone: 315-685-5607
www.townofskaneateles.com
 
▪Page Authored by team member Matthew Champlin.
 

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Area Attractions
Other Waterfalls
Carpenter Falls - (15 mi. S) Bahar Nature Preserve
Marcellus Falls  -  (6 mi NE) Marcellus Falls, NY
Local Specialties
New Hope Mills  -  New Hope, NY
Cruises and Tours (Skaneateles Lake)
Mid-Lakes Navigation Company - Skaneateles, NY
Bed and Breakfast
Hummingbird's Home B&B  - Skaneateles, NY
1899 Lady of the Lake  - Skaneateles, NY
Westridge Bed & Breakfast  - Skaneateles, NY
Fox Ridge Bed & Breakfast  - Skaneateles, NY
The Gray House  - Skaneateles, NY
Aunt Louise's Lake House  - Skaneateles, NY
The Pine Grove Bed & Breakfast  - Skaneateles, NY
Benjamin Porter House  - Skaneateles, NY
The Arbor House Inn  - Skaneateles, NY
Frog Pond Bed & Breakfast  - Skaneateles, NY
A Wicher Garden B&B  - Auburn, NY
10 Fitch 'Luxurious Historic Inn'  - Auburn, NY
Lodging
Skaneateles Suites  - Skaneateles, NY
Village Inn of Skaneateles  - Skaneateles, NY
Sherwood Inn  - Skaneateles, NY
Mirbeau Inn and Spa  - Skaneateles, NY
Finger Lakes Lodging  - Skaneateles, NY
The Packwood House  - Skaneateles, NY
Hobbit Hollow  - Skaneateles, NY

Restaurants
Rosalie's Cucina  - Skaneateles, NY
Doug's Fish Fry  - Skaneateles, NY
Elderberry Pond Restaurant & Store  - Auburn, NY
Springside Inn  - Auburn, NY
Shopping
New Hope Antiques  -  New Hope, NY
Kebbie Loves Ken Paint Your Own Pottery & Gifts  -  Skaneateles, NY
The Country Ewe  -  Skaneateles, NY
Pomodoro, Too!  -  Skaneateles, NY
Gallop On Saddlery  -  Skaneateles, NY
New Hope Antiques  -  Skaneateles, NY
Infused!  -  Skaneateles, NY
Grammie’s Pantry  -  Skaneateles, NY
Snake Oil Glassworks  -  Skaneateles, NY
Skaneateles Jewelry  -  Skaneateles, NY
Grant Jewelers  -  Skaneateles, NY
T's by the Lake  -  Skaneateles, NY
Creekside Books and Coffee  -  Skaneateles, NY
Elderberry Pond Restaurant & Store  - Auburn, NY
Wineries
King Ferry Winery  - King Ferry, NY
Links
About the Bahar Nature Preserve
 
 

 
 
 

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Guppy Falls - Skaneateles Conservation Area