Taughannock Falls in December

Christmas Day skiing? Made it to the ski slope but did not go; first - did not have the "discount" first-timer coupon so would need to pay a higher price and second - people in the parking lot said the conditions were very icy. Decided it would not be the best condition to ski (or snowboard as I had been told it was not as demanding on quad muscles - Thanks J) for the first time of the year. Now that the weather will get in the low 50's/high 40's this weekend, the next ski opportunity may be in 2009.

So off to photo the waterfalls that I had missed on Sunday. Hiking at
Buttermilk Falls was possible - advise using the ski poles to avoid falling on the way down! The photos at Taughannock Falls were much better though! The trails on the north and south rim had been closed but you could hike the "river" path. Bad news was that the park facilities were closed and being Christmas not many other places open either. (Luckily one of the Chinese restaurants was having a Celebration Day! Xie xie ni!!)

Sorry Y.F. and T.N. - Have not made it South during December so no new photos or travel stories of driving adventures! Tentatively planning camping in NY mountains soon so maybe photos from there.

Waterfall of New York - not Niagra

What to do on a beautiful sunny day? Take a quiet hike on the north and south rim of Taughannock Fall. The waterfall is higher than Niagra Falls but as you can see, much less water. Beautiful area that I would highly recommend.

At times you feel that you are out west in one of the canyons.

One bit of advice ... unless you like to climb stairs ... go up the "south rim" and back down the "north rim". The overall hike distance is approximately 4-4.5 miles if you include the very easy portion along the water to the base of the falls.

All-in-all, it was a nice hike to begin enjoying all that Upstate NY has to offer.