Gorge Trail - Watkins Glen State Park - Watkins Glen, New York
Posted by: 
mTn_biKer65
N 42° 22.500 W 076° 52.435
18T E 345718 N 4693114
The Gorge Trail of Watkins Glen State Park is located on Route 14 in downtown Watkins Glen, New York.
Waymark Code: WMM2GC
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 07/08/2014
Views: 7
Watkins Glen is best experienced on the Gorge Trail which follows Glen Creek past water-sculpted rock and 19 waterfalls by way of stone bridges and more than 800 stone steps. Included in the 19 waterfalls are 2 that you can walk behind and 1 (Central Cascade) that plunges more than 60 feet. The Gorge Trail can be accessed from the Main, South and Upper entrances but I would suggest taking the Gorge Trail from the Main entrance to enjoy the beautiful scenery and once at the top returning to the bottom via the Indian Trail which is primarily a downhill hike including multiple lookout point not already seen during the Gorge Trail hike. The Indian Trail follows the forested rims of the gorge.
As you walk the Gorge Trail look for interpretive panels along the way that will reveal more about what you see and hear around you.
In the mid 1800’s a flour mill operated in the main entrance where water behind a dam passed down a wooden trough, and over the waterwheel of a flour mill. Tunnels in the gorge were hand-cut into the rock in the early 1900’s.
The Narrows portion of the gorge has its own “micro-climate.” It is shady, cool and very moist most of the time, similar to a rainforest. Plants including ferns and mosses prefer these conditions and thrive here.
The finale of the Gorge Trail is the 180 steps of “Jacob’s
Ladder” to reach the Upper Entrance.
Note #1: Pets are NOT allowed on the Gorge Trail.
Note#2: There's a shuttle bus running between the upper & main entrance for a $2 fee.
Picture location 1: N 42° 22.461 W 076° 52.589
Picture Location 2: N 42° 22.404 W 076° 52.898
Picture Location 3: N 42° 22.358 W 076° 52.949
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