Gorge Trail — Attraction in Town of Ithaca

Buttermilk SP has a Gorge Trail that is short and gorgeous. We began our hike at the Upper Park Entrance on West King Rd where Larch Meadows is found, rather than the Lower entrance where the falls are located. The TH is across W King Rd and to the left of the bridge. It descends into a cool, shaded gorge past deep pools, sculpted rocks and several waterfalls. There are many beautiful stone steps and rock walkways alongside the Buttermilk Creek. (Always be careful. My wife slipped on one of the wet stepdowns and suffered a bruised cheek and a black eye.) The trail is considered moderately difficult even though only 0.65 miles one way. The difficulty comes on the way up. Otherwise, it's pretty easy. Many ppl will make a loop and return along Rim Tr. Swimming is allowed at the base of the falls during summer, but nowhere else. There's a $9 daily use fee...

Unacceptable to be open. Five times too many people to effectively distance.. only 1/3 of people wearing masks. Significant groups of people going the wrong direction.. it’s supposed to be one-way but no respect for the rules here by patrons of the park: all ages, all nationalities being unsafe and you can’t get away from people once in the gorge where everyone is congregated.

Staff is far too understaffed to police the herds of people swimming and off the trail when they are not supposed to be. Yes, this is a beautiful park but not safe for you or your family to visit, at least on a weekend during this pandemic.

It’s impossible to observe New York States COVID restrictions and be on this...

We drove to the lower parking lot to see the lower falls and pool. There wasn't much water.

The lower part of the hike is steep, so we droce to the upper lot and walked down the well maintained path. The path was full of steps and well paved, and passes several small falls, rapids, and pools. We only went part way down -- to the point where it gets steeper.

On the way back there were young folks jumping off the rock wall into the pool below. In any generation, that is SUPER dangerois, and strictly against the state park rules. We passed a Ranger responding.

It was a great, easy down and up many stairs.

When there is more water, it would.be far less tranquil and...