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Trenton Falls

Directions

North of Utica on NY 12, there is a point at which NY 12 and NY 28 run concurrently.  From the southern point of concurrency, take NY 28 south.  Trenton Falls Road is the first junction exiting to the east.  Follow signs to a four-way stop where you should continue to the end of the road where you can park.

County: Oneida/Herkimer
Town: Trenton/Russia
USGS Map: Remsen
Waterway: West Canada Creek
Latitude: N 43° 16' 24"
Longitude: W 75° 09' 35"
Drop: 270' total
Type: Multiple drops
Region: North of Utica
Parking: Parking area
Trail type: Crushed stone/wood chip paths
Length of hike: 1 - 1.5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
Accessibility: Public
Name: Common

Remsen Quadrangle

This is a truly magnificent site.  Nature and the West Canada Creek have worn a large gorge through this area.  There are several on-line sources that claim that this area at one time "nearly rivaled Niagara Falls in terms of tourist magnetism."  It is still publicly accessible, but is only open about two week-ends each year.  The Town of Trenton website should be consulted to find those dates.

Now a major hydroelectric project area, there are still a number of magnificent waterfalls here, which we have created separate pages for.  The area is divided into several drops.  The 60' tall Morgan Dam is the furthest downstream, but that is actually below where the walking tour begins.  After entering the facility and head out on the trail, you will encounter Sherman Falls then the two-tiered High Falls, which are identified as Lower High Falls and Upper High Falls.  Please note that the map you will receive on your visit uses these two terms, but signs at the location refer to the upper drop simply as High Falls.  These drop a total of 100 feet.  Above that is the 14' Mill Dam Falls and at the very upper part of the area is the Upper Hydro Dam and Falls.

On July 3, 2019, the names of Mill Dam Falls, Upper High Falls, Lower High Falls and Sherman Falls all became official when they were entered into the GNIS.

This is a very nicely maintained area with finely crushed stone paths and wood mulch side trails that allow views of the waterfalls and the gorge.  The one down-side is that the area is open on a limited basis.  There is no fee to access the facility.  Sometime before or during the spring of 2013, a rock-slide had blocked the upper trail and you couldn't go beyond High Falls.  You do have distant views of Mill Dam Falls and Hydro Falls from the Upper High Falls viewing area, but you can no longer get to those viewing areas.  You also can not see the hydro dam at the top.

On our visit there in 2013, we were told that there was no estimated date at which time this slide could be cleared so that upper access could be restored.  On a return trip in 2019, we were told that the cost to repair this damage was prohibitive and repairs are not going to happen.  This is despite the fact that the map you receive on your visit does indicate that this section of the trail "is temporarly [sic] closed".

There is much history and nature at this location and much can be written about it and has been.  There are many on-line sources with information and stories about this area.  We will let our pictures tell the story.  Rather than reinventing the wheel, please refer to some of the info out there such as Discovering the Valley of the Crystals, a well-done story of the history of Trenton Gorge, complete with pictures.  This is by no means the only resource out there.  A web search will turn up many options.

The West Canada Creek empties into the Mohawk River, which then flows into the Hudson before reaching the Atlantic Ocean.

Last update:  July 9, 2019

Hover on any of the thumbnails to see an enlarged image

Trenton Falls Trenton Falls

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