When I have the opportunity I really like to make the most of it. Getting out on an all day adventure to photographs a variety of different subjects. On this particular trip the subject was waterfalls.

Not just any waterfalls, but frozen waterfalls. Frozen waterfalls might be the best kind of waterfall. They just look so unique.

So, when their weather was cold enough long enough I picked a day and I set off. The plan was to drive out to one waterfall I specifically wanted to go to that was 1.5 hours away. Then slowly make my way back home. On the way I would stop at a bunch of the other waterfalls I would encounter. Along the way.

My first stop was Carpenter Falls. This tall waterfall features a large stream of water flowing off a steep cliff. The water plummets down into the bottom of a gorge below.

After I went to Carpenter Falls I wanted to stop at Fillmore Glen State Park. I have only been here a few times. I knew the trails would be closed, but I wanted to see what the view was like at the bottom otherwise the gorge during the winter.

There are many falls I never even knew about

The next stop was Ludlowville Falls / Salmon Creek Falls. This is a waterfall that I only discovered in the past year. It is amazing and I can’t believe I never knew about it. This wide falls drops over the edge of a cliff in a variety of different ways along its width.

Another beautiful spot is Ithaca Falls. Just a short walk from the road or viewable from the bridge on the road. This is an impressive waterfall. Always seems to have a lot of water flowing. Ice and snow coat everything.

State parks in this region are full of waterfalls

Then of course I needed to stop at the three beautiful state parks in the Ithaca area. Buttermilk falls was the first stop. Most of the falls are not visible during winter because the trails are closed. But you can see the large falls that cascade down to the swimming area at the bottom of the gorge.

Robert Treman State Park has two waterfalls that are pretty easily viewable even during winter. However they are separated by a 3 mile drive. The large Lower Falls is always full of water. It is a winter wonderland. Then you can drive to the upper part of the park and see the small falls that is near the old mill. I kind of love that little waterfall tucked into the woods.

Toughannock Falls is the only one of the parks whose trail to see the main falls remains open all year long. You can hike 1 mile into the gorge and stand essentially at the bottom of the 200 ft high waterfall. You can also view that waterfall from above at the visitors center. And don’t sleep on the smaller falls near the entrance to the gorge trail. I rally like that waterfall.

Watkins Glen area falls

After Ithaca I headed over to Watkins Glen. I stopped at Watkins Glen State Park. While the gorge trail is closed you can still see the first big waterfall that is right near the entrance to the trail. I love how this water flow seems to bounce off one wall of the gorge and flow back in the other direction.

Then driving down route 14 there is a series of waterfalls that stream down the high gorge walls overhead. The largest of these is Aunt Sara’s Falls. This waterfall is narrow near the top and then spreads out over a wider stone surface as it approaches the bottom.

The last waterfall on the trip is Shequaga Falls. This huge waterfall is located in the center of Montoya Falls. The water at this falls is almost always flowing well. I can’t think of a time there was little water. This makes it very interesting when it is cold enough to start freezing that large volume of water.

Where are your favorite waterfalls to visit?

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