Hiking Spree To The Waterfalls

This time I had decided to get you all on a hiking spree. These are not the long, strenuous, difficult hikes that we had done. These are some short and simple hikes which you can certainly do on a whim, as we did. But do not drop your excitement level by the simplicity of these hikes. I assure you; these serene trails will lead you to some beautiful hidden gems.

Cambell Falls State Park, Connecticut

This waterfall is kind of hiding itself in a dense wood on the border of Connecticut and Massachusetts. There is even a Historic Connecticut and Massachusetts boundary marker dated 1906 along the way. It was cool to cross a state line on the way. The combination of the short and easy hike and the zig-zagging plunge through a gorge makes this waterfall a great area to visit and photograph.

**At Cambell waterfall the water plunges through a small gorge then cascades into a small pool.**

As it is a bit tricky to find a trail entrance; look for a sign with two hikers. It’s an easy mellow hike through dense pine forest. As we started a little bit late, finding our way through the dusk in such a magnificent forest added to our adventure. Most of the path is extremely easy (1.4 miles) with gentle inclines and declines, but there is a small portion at the end with a somewhat steep drop to the base of the falls. Also, if you’re someone who prefers following a map during the hike, please take a picture of a map on your phone; as there won’t be any internet signal in the forest. Campbell Falls is a photogenic waterfall featuring a pair of drops said to have a cumulative height of about 50-ft.

**The waterfall is gorgeous. It’s a beautiful 50 ft. plunge and cascading through a narrow gorge. There is a small but deep pool of ice-cold water at the base of the falls for hardy souls.**

The direction of the flow of the water for each of its drops went in different directions so it may have a bit of a zig-zagged appearance depending on the viewing angle. There was an informal scramble that allowed us to go above the lower drop of Campbell Falls for a closer look at the taller upper tier. It was simply one of those excursions where it was enough to bask in the silence of Nature broken only by the sounds of rushing water as well as the odd birdsong and rustling leaves.

**Magnificent cascading Falls with interesting nooks and crannies in the cliff makes for an ideal photo opportunity.**

The trail and the waterfall were so secluded, it’s like having your secret hideaway. The actual waterfall is located in Massachusetts, but the entry places are in Norfolk, Connecticut.

**A historic boundary marker on our way. The trail crossed from Connecticut into Massachusetts. So, the falls is technically in the state of Massachusetts.**

The best part I would say about this hike is the serenity and tranquility of the dense forest which leads you to this gorgeous water force. This is a super short hike that leads to a surprisingly awesome outcome!

High falls conservation area, New York

We wanted to visit Bish Bash Falls on that particular day. But due to COVID, the park was opened for a limited crowd, and there were already more than 15 cars waiting to get inside the park. So instead of waiting there for an uncertain time, we decided to explore the High Falls Conservation Area. High Falls is located within the High Falls Conservation Area in Philmont, New York. At 150 feet in height, it is the tallest waterfall in Columbia County and one of the tallest and most impressive in eastern New York.

**A beautiful wooden bridge on a hike trail**

**The forested trails bring visitors to a dramatic overlook with views of the waterfalls.**

There are three different trails of 1.5 miles (red, blue, and green) all lead to an excellent view of the falls. The Green Trail will lead you directly to the High Falls overlook, where the main waterfall can be viewed in its entirety. The Red Trail also leads there, although it is longer and includes a slight incline. The Blue Trail leads to the creek and both waterfalls. While the trails are neither long nor especially difficult, they do provide a great chance to get out into nature and enjoy some beautiful scenery. As you hike along the trails, you will observe locust stands, maples, and oaks along the forest, which shows logging was also once a dominant industry here.

**The blue trail takes you down by the river to see the smaller waterfall. It’s so beautiful down there. Spend some time sitting on the rocks and enjoying the beauty.**

In the 19th century, the Agawamuck Creek in this park was the main power source for mills that lined its banks. There was a dam built at the top of High Falls in 1845 to help harness its power. As technologies advanced, these mills became obsolete and closed. Only a handful of buildings remain with no ruins found along the creek except another dam further downstream. Philmont was not always known as such; its original name was Factory Hill, no doubt due to the number of factories and mills it had throughout the town. The name was changed later following the decline of the milling industry.

High Falls, Columbia County’s highest waterfall, cascades 150 feet before culminating in a large pool. The water flows northwest until eventually reaching the Hudson River. While coming back from a fall we decided to explore a bit of off-trail hiking through a small creek nearby. If you do not mind a bit of scrambling with the help of tree roots and possibly getting your feet wet, then you can also try this. At the base of High Falls is a large pool which is ideal for swimming and fishing. A lot of people were diving and swimming in the falls.