The Sacandaga River and its tributaries are strung with so many tumbling, bubbling stretches that strolls along these picturesque waterways make irresistible outings. The region is so waterfall-rich that leapfrogging from one cascade to the next can feel like the best kind of scavenger hunt. (Hamilton County even has a waterfall challenge; learn more at www.experienceouradirondacks.com.) Not sure where to start? Here’s a sampling of low-effort treks along the region’s liquid assets.
Auger Falls, Wells
The trail to Auger Falls, on the Sacandaga River, is about eight miles south of Speculator. It’s just a half-mile hike to the 40-foot-high cascade, which is best viewed from the trail’s overlook, as the steep slope down to the riverside can be dangerously slippery. Here, you can turn around and head back the way you came or continue along a loop that passes plenty of dramatic riffles before returning to the parking lot, for a total distance 1.25 miles.
› If You Go
From Wells, follow Route 30 north for about 5 miles. The parking area will be on your right. From the parking lot, walk back toward Route 30, then follow the dirt road to the left, which leads to the trail register.
Griffin Gorge & Falls, Wells
Slabs of blocky rock steal the scene at Griffin Gorge, a geological stunner on the East Branch of the Sacandaga. About a mile of this shoreline was added to the Forest Preserve last year, thanks to a partnership between the Adirondack Land Trust and the Department of Environmental Conservation. (The Adirondack Land Trust has also donated 18 nearby acres to Adirondack Hamlets to Huts, which plans to build a center for lodging and educational programs across from the gorge.) There’s a short but steep herd path to the river; a quick boulder-hop downstream leads to the eight-foot drop that feeds into a popular swim spot.
› If You Go
From Wells, take Route 30 north for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Route 8 and continue for 2.5 miles. Turn left onto a seasonal road and cross the bridge over the East Branch of the Sacandaga. Parking will be in a clearing on the right, just past the bridge. On the opposite side of the access road, follow the path descending along the west side of the river.
Tenant Creek Falls, Hope
This four-plus-mile roundtrip trek has a deep forest feel, winding among old-growth hardwoods and along the rock-tickling creek to the main attraction: three waterfalls, each with its own pretty pool. You’ll reach the lower falls in under a mile, stepping out of the thick canopy into a glade that seems as if it were wished from the pages of a storybook. This dreamy spot draws crowds—continue a mile or so more to a pair of quieter upper falls if you want more elbow room.
› If You Go
From Northville, take Route 30 north 4 miles and turn right on Old Northville Road. After about 1.5 miles, turn left on Hope Falls Road. The parking area will be 7 miles farther, on the right.
East Jimmy Creek Falls, Wells
Tiny East Jimmy Creek features a set of falls tucked just a couple hundred yards from Route 8, creating a moss-covered oasis that’s worth a pit stop. On a hot day, the basin at the bottom of the second waterfall, which is just upstream from the first, offers a chance to splash around in a sweet wading pool.
› If You Go
From Wells, take Route 30 north for 3.5 miles. Turn right on Route 8 and continue for 1.2 miles; there will be parking pull-offs where the stream crosses under Route 8. Park on the right and take the path along the south side of the stream.
