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Fairy Ladder Falls, accessible through the Adirondack Mountain Reserve

Directions

Located on NYS Route 73, this site is just south of the hamlet of Saint Huberts, which is on the stretch between the village of Keene Valley and the northern intersection of routes 73 and 9.  Look for the signs for the Giant Mountain Wilderness Area.  The parking area for AMR is directly across the road.

County: Essex
Town: Keene
USGS Map: Mt Marcy
Waterway: Gill Brook
Latitude: N 44° 05' 59"
Longitude: W 73° 49' 14"
Drop: 90'
Type: Ribbon cascade
Region: Off NY 73 near the hamlet of St. Huberts
Parking: Unpaved lot
Trail type: Dirt/rock
Length of hike: About 4.2 miles, one way
Difficulty: Moderate
Accessibility: Access by easement
Name: Official

Keene Quadrangle

Fairy Ladder Falls is not actually within the Adirondack Mountain Reserve.  It is located on Gill Brook, which does contain a number of other drops that we discuss on this website.  Access can be made through the AMR as allowed by an easement agreement.  Also, be aware that it is possible to get to Fairy Ladder Falls through state land without entering the AMR.  We have not made that trip and we understand that it is a vigorous hike so we are not including that here.

It has come to our attention that the owners of this land are becoming increasingly annoyed by those who show up with inadequate information trying to access it.  It should be noted that the listings for all of the locations within the AMR have been on this website for well over ten years.  We have clearly stated the status of the locations here, including many of the restrictions and conditions for access.  In an effort to reduce the increasing friction between the owners and the public hikers, we are urging people to refer to our page for the general information on The Adirondack Mountain Reserve.  This includes information on the reservation process which is currently in effect.  It is one click and will only take a minute or so to read, but it may save a significant amount of grief to everyone involved.

From the guard shack at the AMR, take the Lake Road until reaching the Gill Brook Trail.  From there, it is about a 2.3 mile hike up the trail and then a 0.2 mile bushwhack

It is said that, of all of the Adirondack waterfalls, this one is the highest above sea level.  It is the only waterfall in this area that we have not yet been to.  According to Tony Goodwin, Executive Director of the ATIS, "Fairy Ladder Falls was named by Verplanck Colvin and is best seen at high water.  It is a stiff hike and a very thick bushwhack to get to the base of the falls, although hikers can get glimpses of the falls from the marked trail - again at high water." 

All of our photos have been contributor submitted.  Our thanks to Robin Salvatore and John Holmes for that.  The last photo in the array contains a hiker to show the size of this waterfall.

The Gill Brook empties into the East Branch of the Ausable River not far downstream from here.  The east branch joins forces with the west branch at Au Sable Forks to form the Ausable River, which empties into Lake Champlain in the town of Peru.

Last update:  October 30, 2022

Hover on any of the thumbnails to see an enlarged image

Fairy Ladder Falls Fairy Ladder Falls
Fairy Ladder Falls Fairy Ladder Falls

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