New York: The Fall Creek Gorge at Cornell University

Who would think we could spend an entire day in Ithaca with the majority of the time on the Cornell University campus.  Certainly not I.  Yes, I am a retired teacher (State of Florida: Marion County, St. Johns County) and professor (Flagler College, Palm Beach State College) but spending non-work hours on a campus is usually not my normal hangout.

Classroom building on Cornell Campus

Cornell was founded in 1865 by Erza Cornell and Andrew Dickson White, the university was intended to teach and make contributions in all fields of knowledge.  Erza Cornell worked with Samuel Morse and eventually became a huge stock holder in Western Union thus allowing him to fund the college.  Located in Ithaca, New York, the university is unique in that it is both an American private Ivy League and federal land-grant research university.  Yes, it is both a private and a public institution.

The Fall Creek cuts through the campus

We spent time in three natural areas managed by Cornell, The Ornithology Lab, The Cornell Plantations, and the Fall Creek Gorge with it's multiple waterfalls.  Due to the length I'll deal with each in a separate posting.  Here I'll cover the waterfalls and gorge.

Fall Creek Gorge Wall

Falls Creek cuts through Ithaca and the Cornell campus and over the years it has created a huge gorge cutting through the surrounding stone.  Our first glimpse of the creek was from the Ithaca Falls which was a challenge to locate as the roads wound through the campus and surrounding houses perched on hills.  As there was no parking we didn't stop to admire the falls.  Later a helpful person said, "Oh, just park at the bar across the street... everyone does this time of day to view the falls."

It is amazing how the river carved the gorge
until you experience the power of the river

As it turned out, the gorge was our last stop on the campus and we learned of the trail from the Visitor Center at the Cornell Plantations.  The gentleman directed us to the area and suggested parking locations as there is no designated parking for the gorge but several access points. 

The path continues to descend

So, we found a parking place near the library and hiked around the rim of the gorge, peering down into the great abyss.  However, as it was well past lunch we opted to drive into the Ithaca Commons for a little exploration and nourishment.  After lunch, we located yet another parking spot and began the descent into the gorge. 

Hiking down into the gorge

Fall Creek Gorge is termed one of Ithaca's prettiest gorges.  Now, we didn't hike all the gorges but this is a beauty and from our entry point there is still a long descent.  The gorge covers 25 acres and you can walk almost the entire length.  You hike close to the creek (more of a river to me) and can cross, stand, or splash in the falls along the way.  I did not count the number of falls but there were more than ten along our path.

At the bottom of the gorge
It is all uphill now!

Should you find yourself in Ithaca and choose to visit the falls here are directions from a Finger Lakes visitor site that may be helpful.  It is a hike I highly recommend.  Really...
What can be more relaxing than a hike along a stream with multiple crashing water falls?