Montville Falls, Moravia - Photos, Maps, Information

Montville Falls

Location - Located in the small hamlet of Montville, barely east of Moravia, Cayuga County. Located near Decker Creek Falls.
Maps: Google Map, Bing Maps (Bird's eye), Multi-map (topo)
GPS/Locations: Montville Falls: N 42.71517 / W 76.40852
Directions: From Auburn, head south on either 38 or 38A to Moravia, where they connect. Just to the east of Moravia is Indian Mound Cemetery. Enter the cemetery, it is are your access points for Mill Creek. Head towards Section 9 and park on the right side of the road just past the SEC 9 sign. Or use Google Directions.

Information
Number of falls: 1
Size/Types: There is one large waterfall that takes about a 60 ft plunge in numerous veins down solid rock face. It also splits off near the crest forming a ‘Twin Falls’ on the right-hand side of it that comes down through the forest before joining again at the bottom. Then it continues down numerous cascades about 14 ft before leveling out into the gorge. The rock on Montville Falls is decidedly different than most of the other falls in the Finger Lakes area. It is a harder rock (limestone), much more sturdy that gives the waterfall a distinct look.
Best time to visit: Late Spring and Summer after moderate rain. Since this waterfall requires a lot of creek-walking to reach, you may not want to trek when the levels are high. the downside is that if you wait to long, it may be bone dry.
Flow: Low, but variable. Flow is regulated by an upstream damn and power plant, which often brings it to a trickle.
Waterway: Dresserville Creek, which combines with Decker Creek to become Mill Creek. Mill Creek then joins Hemlock Creek, which is the inlet to Owasco Lake.
Time: 40 minutes to an hour.

Accessibility
Warning: Previous access was from a property near the old mill downstream off of Rt 38. NYFalls.com members have reported that landowners here have denied permission to property along the creek here. We are unable to verify the validity of their claim, but to be safe and respectful use the alternate access point described below (through the cemeteries).
Whenever you can get access, which as of Spring 2010, is when the cemetery is open. We do not have the cemetery hours at this time.
Parking: Park in the back of either St Patrick's or Indian Mound Cemeteries. Section 9 of Indian Mound (on the right side of the road, just past the sign) is reportedly a good access point.
Admission: No fees.
Handicap accessibility: No.
Pets: We are not sure.
Accommodations: None.
Tours: None.
Swimming: None.

Description...
Montville falls has a character quite unlike the rest of the Finger Lakes watershed waterfalls. It is a wild waterfall with no defined paths or accommodations. It also does not share the same characteristic eroded shale build as other Finger Lakes waterfalls. It is instead composed of harder limestone rock that the water has to tumble around rather than cut through, creating sharp angles and steps along the way.

The great thing about this falls is the difference the level of water makes. Varying between multiple small ribbons winding around the rock in low flow to an even downpour when the water is high, the differences make this falls worth multiple visits.

Trails
Difficulty: Difficult.
Markings: None.

The combination hike of these Mill Creek tributaries will get you close to these two Decker Creek Falls and Montville Falls. Check out the Decker Creek Falls page for more details on that part of the hike.

From a back section of the cemetery, head towards the creek. The gorge can be steep here, but walk along and see where you can get down safely. Reportedly in Section 9 of Indian Mound Cemetery, near the large C.A. PARKER tombstone is a good area to scramble down. Once in the gorge, head upstream. There are not many defined paths, so plan on getting your feet wet. In fact, if you aren't getting wet on this hike, then chances are the waterfalls will be dry when you get there.

Less than a quarter-mile upstream you will reach a fork. To the left, Dresserville Creek and Decker Creek Falls, to the right is Montville Falls. Hike right for 500 feet or so to get there.

The rock in Dresserville Creek is a harder variety than the usual shale – so it is not as slippery in the stream bed as in many other Finger Lakes gorges. Still – use caution and check your footing as there are large pools and cracks in the bed.

History...
Near where Montville Falls is located, along Mill Creek, a man named Jethro Woods invented the first cast iron plow in 1819, drastically increasing the productivity of farmers and the reliability of their equipment. Unfortunately for Woods, he had to fight patent infringements his whole life and died a poor man. Montville was once a large manufacturing center, using the power of Mill Creek to build numerous factories along its banks. It rivaled the village of Moravia for dominance until the mills began to close along the creek as electric power ushered in modern industry.

Do not miss...
Fillmore Glen State Park is only a mile south. Similar to Watkins Glen, only with fewer falls, this peaceful gorge is a must see for this area.

Carpenter Falls in close proximity to the Bahar Nature Preserve and Bear Swamp State Forest.– great place for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and four-wheeling.

Explore Owasco Lake. There are plenty of parks and attractions to check out and photograph.

Photography Tips
▪ There is a lot going on with Montville Falls. A wide angle lens is a must if you want to capture everything that is happening with the waterfall. Since it is in a gorge, the light is softer near the bottom, but the sheer breadth and height of Montville falls means sunlight may be hitting the top. It's best to shoot with an overcast sky, or wait for the sun to hide.
▪ Try different angles. Since there are so many distinct segments and drops that make up the falls in low flow, you can come away with many photos of just pieces of it. Walk along the base of the falls and shoot from different areas. You can also walk to the right and find an easy way up the cascade so you can stand at the bottom of the main drop of the falls and shoot from there.
▪ Also try shooting in the gorge on the way back. There are numerous small cascades and sheer walls that make for excellent shots.
▪ The creak walk can be a wet one. Be careful with your gear.
▪ See the Articles section for more waterfall photography tips.