August 15, 2012: I didn’t have an epiphany but I was there for the light show. I’ve been hiking – the waterfall loop, down to Sergeant’s Falls, to the “Ems.” Here’s a little loop that I like that goes up the Rynex gorge, checks out Fairy Staircase Falls, then up the hill to the yellow Highland trail and back around. (as shown on the route map, 1.75 miles, a little over an hour)
*** There has been some rain but it’s mostly soaking in, not going over the falls. What else… I forgot my boots the other day and found that you can tramp the waterfall loop just fine in crocs.
*** I’ve recently come upon an article from 2008 in the Schenectady Gazette that has some insights into the preserve. Written by Bill Buell, it has quotes and stories from Almy Coggeshall, history of the preserve development, etc. A great find, thanks to the Gazette for making it available. —Ed
to bad you didn’t have an epiphany !
Yah, well, not that day anyway.
Look at those gorgeous sun rays! Pretty magnificent. Who needs an epiphany, anyway
They’re overrated if you ask me.
(And thanks for the link to the article, too)
I’ve Been doing the same hike. Go past the blue trail pond to the tip of the orange. Descend into the holy spot. Ascend Rynex and go to Fairytail. Take yellow straight through to top of lower and creekwack to Upper!
Hi Ian,
You go down the sheer cliffs from the end of the blue trail? and then climb up the 40 ft Rynex falls?
Hi Ed,
If someone ended up down in the holy spot, those are the 2 easiest ways up: climbing the left side of the Rynex or the unmarked zig-zag trail starting on the ‘o’ in ‘Lower waterfall’ and ending near the small falls below Lower. I do not recommend either.
Hi Eric,
You could walk downstream to the landslide crossing, red trail. That would be easiest now when it’s dry, or in a few months when it’s frozen. If there’s water in the creek wear waders and spikes.
True.