| County: |
St. Lawrence |
| Town: |
Clifton |
| USGS Map: |
Oswegatchie |
| Waterway: |
Oswegatchie River |
| Latitude: |
44.21439o |
| Longitude: |
75.04278o |
| Drop: |
~50' |
|
Butter Tub Falls may be one of the best kept secrets in the
Adirondacks. It is located a few hundred yards upstream from
Browns Falls and is one beautiful location. Although a bit
of a hike, it really isn't that far off the beaten path.
Butter Tub Falls gets its name from several holes that resemble
butter tubs that have been worn in the rocks over the centuries.
When you first approach the falls, you will be high above the
water level. Continue walking along the ridge and you will
eventually find a path to the base of the ravine. The falls
itself are actually comprised of three parts. The top
section is a nice waterfall sending water down to a second section
that looks somewhat like a natural waterslide. From the
looks of the smoothness of the rock in the middle of this center
section, at one point it was probably all covered with water.
Keep in mind that the Oswegatchie River at this point is only a
portion of its potential because a penstock diverts most of the
water around these falls. Today, the rocks in the center of
the river are exposed. There is a smaller waterfall on the
south side of the channel. At the bottom is another falls,
completing the experience.
From NYS 3, a few miles west of the village of Star Lake,
proceed down the Browns Falls Road. About 1.2 miles from the
intersection, you will come to a bridge. Park on the right
just before the bridge and take the trail upstream to the right of
the bridge. You will come to the remains of an old mill of
some type. Browns Falls is located in this area.
Upstream another few hundred yards, you will find Butter Tub
Falls.
The Oswegatchie River flows into the St. Lawrence River in
Ogdensburg, New York.
|
