Posted by Robert Fisher on August 29, 2008 at 8:28 AM
Hope this is in the right place. I'm planning a trip to the Finger Lakes region of NY later in September. I've got 4 days, not counting travel days.
There are 5 parks that I'm interested in going to: Watkins Glen SP; Letchworth SP; Taughannock Falls SP Buttermilk Falls SP; and Robert H Tremans SP. Watkins Glen and Letchworth are definites. Of the other three, for those who know the area, which two would you choose?
Thanks.
Posted by Jennifer Geck on August 29, 2008 at 7:02 PM
Hey there. I live just outside Watkins Glen. You say you've got 4 days. Does that mean 4 days to visit the parks or 4 days in the area with other commitments? The reason I ask is that you could probably do all of these over 4 days.
Here are my thoughts...
You're coming to an awesome area for photography! I've not been to Letchworth, but have been to all the others and can comment on them.
To get the most bang for your buck, you'll definitely want to do Watkins Glen. Watkins is gorgeous. There are 19 waterfalls in the park and each one is different and beautiful. There are endless pictures to be made there. There are also several at-the-roadside waterfalls that can be seen within a 5 minute drive from WG State Park; Shequaga and Aunt Sarah's for example. Havana Glen Park (Eagle Cliff Falls) is a half mile further and is a very short walk in to see a really pretty waterfall. I would allot 3-4 hours for this park.
Next I would choose Robert Treman. I especially like the upper part of the park. There's a nice stone bridge there and some nice falls. The park is quite long so what I've always done is walk down to the wooden bridge (just past Lucifer Falls) and then go back up. I visit the lower portion of the park separately because it is such a walk and the area after Lucifer is not that photogenic...from what I hear. I've actually not walked the mid-section because I've always been told there's not much to see. Maybe allot 2 hours...?
My third choice would be Buttermilk. This would require a longer visit than Robert Treman. I've only done the whole thing once, but it was very pretty. The park faces west so I would start at the top and make my way down. Getting to the top is fairly easy; I think there are sign. It may not hurt to have a map printout though. Buttermilk has many smaller falls with the largest at the bottom. It's more like water coming down a slide. It's nice to see, but not one of my favorites. Probably allow 2-3 for this park, too.
(I should read more carefully. I now see you wrote WG and Letchworth are definites. Duh! Sorry...)
I would choose Taughannock last. It's very impressive, don't get me wrong, but the lower walk doesn't offer many opportunities. There's a small waterfall (5 feet?) at the beginning, but the rest of the 1 mile or so walk to the large falls is a smooth shale creek bed. There are trails along the side of the gorge, but again, I haven't explored those. There's a decent parking area at the top with a nice overlook and there's a trail leading up along the road with another nice overlook. Keep driving up the road and when you come to the T (I think it is) there's a small bridge and some small cascades. This is an easy and fast park that you could do in combination with Treman or Buttermilk since they are all in the same vicinity.
Cascadilla Creek is another of my favorites. It's not as large as the others, but is cute. It has some nice smaller falls and a stone bridge with a fall under it.
Just down the road from Cascadilla is Fall Creek or Ithaca Falls. This is another roadside waterfall that, to me, is more impressive than the large waterfall at Buttermilk.
The times I mentioned above obviously vary by the type of photographer you are. Some take pictures of everything and others move along faster.
Feel free to contact me with questions and if you need a tour guide, let me know!
- Jen
Posted by Robert Fisher on August 29, 2008 at 9:06 PM
Hi Jen. Terrific information. Thanks very much. I've got 4 days without other commitments. I've left a day for travel each way, so four solid days in the area. My plan is to do 1 park/day. I don't want to be doing the bulk of my shooting at the height of the sun so will be there early. If I can combine a couple in one day - one early morning, one late afternoon/evening, that'd be great. WG is going to be my first stop. I'm actually staying in town and it's just a couple minutes from my hotel.
I've also found information on all the other ones you mentioned. There are some good websites about the area.
The day I travel home I plan on doing a tour of some wineries so may be able to get places like Cascadilla and Ithaca that day.
Really like your b&w shots. Nicely done.
Posted by Jennifer Geck on August 29, 2008 at 11:30 PM
You're welcome, Robert, and thank you! Where in WG are you staying? The new hotel?
Also, I should probably switch Buttermilk and Robert Treman above. I'm probably biased towards Treman because I am in love with the shot from the bridge looking back (the shot in my gallery) and can't ever get enough of seeing that. So, really, you should probably go with Buttermilk over Treman since it offers more falls and variety. But I do love Treman...
I made this map a few years ago when I planned a fall foliage get together. You may find it helpful as it mentions some of the lesser visited falls. Excelsior and Hector Falls are also just off the road and would be quick shots.
Posted by Robert Fisher on September 3, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Thanks for the update Jen. No, the place I'm staying definitely isn't new. It's some little divey place on S Franklin. Actually, this photo makes me think Treman should be higher on the list.
Posted by Jennifer Geck on September 4, 2008 at 9:26 PM
lol, "some little divey place". Ironically, that still doesn't narrow it down! Just kidding. I've never been in either of the two at the south end, but one just rebuilt one of its two wings and it looks really nice. The other looks decent and recently had new landscaping and walks put in. I would guess they'd be decent enough, but, again, I haven't been in them. A plus, though, is that the ice cream shops are at the south end.
That photo is sweet. It looks like it was taken under the bridge...? Hmm, I'll have to check that out next time I'm over there.
Have a great trip and show me your pics when you return!
Discussion
5 repliesThere are 5 parks that I'm interested in going to: Watkins Glen SP; Letchworth SP; Taughannock Falls SP Buttermilk Falls SP; and Robert H Tremans SP. Watkins Glen and Letchworth are definites. Of the other three, for those who know the area, which two would you choose?
Thanks.
Here are my thoughts...
You're coming to an awesome area for photography! I've not been to Letchworth, but have been to all the others and can comment on them.
To get the most bang for your buck, you'll definitely want to do Watkins Glen. Watkins is gorgeous. There are 19 waterfalls in the park and each one is different and beautiful. There are endless pictures to be made there. There are also several at-the-roadside waterfalls that can be seen within a 5 minute drive from WG State Park; Shequaga and Aunt Sarah's for example. Havana Glen Park (Eagle Cliff Falls) is a half mile further and is a very short walk in to see a really pretty waterfall. I would allot 3-4 hours for this park.
Next I would choose Robert Treman. I especially like the upper part of the park. There's a nice stone bridge there and some nice falls. The park is quite long so what I've always done is walk down to the wooden bridge (just past Lucifer Falls) and then go back up. I visit the lower portion of the park separately because it is such a walk and the area after Lucifer is not that photogenic...from what I hear. I've actually not walked the mid-section because I've always been told there's not much to see. Maybe allot 2 hours...?
My third choice would be Buttermilk. This would require a longer visit than Robert Treman. I've only done the whole thing once, but it was very pretty. The park faces west so I would start at the top and make my way down. Getting to the top is fairly easy; I think there are sign. It may not hurt to have a map printout though. Buttermilk has many smaller falls with the largest at the bottom. It's more like water coming down a slide. It's nice to see, but not one of my favorites. Probably allow 2-3 for this park, too.
(I should read more carefully. I now see you wrote WG and Letchworth are definites. Duh! Sorry...)
I would choose Taughannock last. It's very impressive, don't get me wrong, but the lower walk doesn't offer many opportunities. There's a small waterfall (5 feet?) at the beginning, but the rest of the 1 mile or so walk to the large falls is a smooth shale creek bed. There are trails along the side of the gorge, but again, I haven't explored those. There's a decent parking area at the top with a nice overlook and there's a trail leading up along the road with another nice overlook. Keep driving up the road and when you come to the T (I think it is) there's a small bridge and some small cascades. This is an easy and fast park that you could do in combination with Treman or Buttermilk since they are all in the same vicinity.
Cascadilla Creek is another of my favorites. It's not as large as the others, but is cute. It has some nice smaller falls and a stone bridge with a fall under it.
Just down the road from Cascadilla is Fall Creek or Ithaca Falls. This is another roadside waterfall that, to me, is more impressive than the large waterfall at Buttermilk.
The times I mentioned above obviously vary by the type of photographer you are. Some take pictures of everything and others move along faster.
Here's a link to some of my photos to give you an idea of what to expect. http://butterflysis.smugmug.com/Photography/25969
Feel free to contact me with questions and if you need a tour guide, let me know!
- Jen
I've also found information on all the other ones you mentioned. There are some good websites about the area.
The day I travel home I plan on doing a tour of some wineries so may be able to get places like Cascadilla and Ithaca that day.
Really like your b&w shots. Nicely done.
Also, I should probably switch Buttermilk and Robert Treman above. I'm probably biased towards Treman because I am in love with the shot from the bridge looking back (the shot in my gallery) and can't ever get enough of seeing that. So, really, you should probably go with Buttermilk over Treman since it offers more falls and variety. But I do love Treman...
I made this map a few years ago when I planned a fall foliage get together. You may find it helpful as it mentions some of the lesser visited falls. Excelsior and Hector Falls are also just off the road and would be quick shots.
http://butterflysis.smugmug.com/photos/40097188_LEbra-O-1.jpg
That photo is sweet. It looks like it was taken under the bridge...? Hmm, I'll have to check that out next time I'm over there.
Have a great trip and show me your pics when you return!