Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls is a treasure found just outside of the city of Ithaca on Route 13. We thought it was one of the prettiest falls we'd ever seen -- and we've seen quite a few! What is amazing about Buttermilk Falls is that it isn't a solid drop like most waterfalls. Rather it cascades over rock steps on a long steady incline. We were unable to capture the entire falls in a single camera shot. The rock face twists and turns farther up, as you may be able to view in the photo.

There are several miles of trails. Stone steps and gravel paths help ease the way up and down the gorge.
It was fascinating to look at the different types of rock in the wall shown in the photo to the right. We wished my brother Jeff, who had taught high school Earth Science, were around to tell us the history of the sediment layers.

105 Enfield Falls Rd.
Ithaca, NY 14850 Phone: (607) 273-5761 (summer) Phone: (607) 273-3440
Click here to view map.

Photos by Karl Weir, 5/98