Tinker Falls, Labrador Hollow State Wildlife Preserve, Cortland County

Tinker Falls

AKA - Tinker's Falls, Tully Falls, Labrador Falls
Location -20 miles south/east of Syracuse. Within the Labrador Hollow State preserve, Between Fabius and Truxton, Cortland County
Maps - Google Map, Google Earth, Multi
GPS/Locations - 42.783320 / -76.032530
Directions - Take 81 to Exit 14 and proceed east on Rt. 11 through Tully. Make a right onto Rt. 91 heading south. You will pass Labrador Pond on your right. Tinker's Falls will be shortly after on your left.

Information
Number of falls: 1
Size/Types: 80' tall. Overhanging falls (50') over a rocky cascade (30').
Best time to visit: All year. One of the best winter falls.
Flow: Consistent/medium
Waterway: Tinker's Creek, a tributary into Labrador Creek.
Time: 15 minutes.

Accessibility
Seasons/Hours: Year round. All day, all night.
Parking: Pullover areas on the opposite side of Rt. 91 before and after the trails entrance.
Admission: Free
Handicap accessibility: no
Pets: Allowed on leash.
Accommodations: none.

Trails
Difficulty: Easy or Difficult, depending on how close you want to get.
Take the trail from the roadside up the creek to the falls. there are a few points along the way that may get slippery. Experienced hikers and climbers can climb the side of the falls in order to get on the loose shale ledge behind the 50' freefall drop.
Map: none.
Markings: none

Description...
Amid the undeveloped land of the Labrador Hollow State preserve, this location offers a peaceful and wondrous environment worthy of becoming a state park and tourist destination. The 80' waterfall is divided into a series of drops, the most dramatic being the 50' overhanging fee-fall. From there, the water divides, winding around large borders as it makes its way to the bottom. The gorge is deep and well enclosed by the surrounding trees, giving the location a cool and wet environment. After periods of high-rainfall, the drop can be a powerful and muddy torrent. It is common for rocks and trees to fall in this location, so be careful.

History...
Tinker's Falls is a well-known stop on the Onondaga Trail (a branch of the Finger Lakes Trail). For more information on the Finger Lakes Trail, visit the Finger Lakes Trail Conference website.

Do not miss...
If you are up to it, and very careful, climb up the the ledge behind the falls. Because this section is made up of lose shale, it is recommended that you do not traverse this area alone and please do not bring small children.
Please be courteous and do not bring pets along this way as they may interfere with other hikers progress and safety.

Labrador Pond, on the other side of the road from the falls is a great location for fishing and canoeing.

Photography Tips
▪ The diversity of drops that make up this falls lends itself to great wide-angle shots and many possibilities for close-ups of the different segments.
▪ To get the whole falls in frame, a wide-angle lens is a must.
▪ For an interesting angle, try shooing from behind the falls.
▪ 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.
▪ This waterfall freezes over in winter lending itself to great winter shots.
▪
▪ See the Articles section for more waterfall photography tips.

Weather

Contact
Department of Environmental Conservation
Region 7
1285 Fisher Ave.
Cortland, NY 13045
(607) 753-3095

Links
DEC policy for Labrador Hollow