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Guppy Falls |
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Location
-Located in the Skaneateles Conservation Area, Town of
Skaneateles
Onondaga
County
Maps -
Google Map,
Multi
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. |
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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 |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Weather
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Contact
The Town of Skaneateles
24 Jordan Street
Skaneateles, NY 13152
Phone: 315-685-5607
www.townofskaneateles.com |
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| ▪Page Authored by team member
Matthew Champlin. |
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