Directions
From the hamlet of Ticonderoga, proceed north on NY 9N/22.
Look for the Vineyard Road (CR 7) which will veer off to
the left. Follow this to where it ends in a "T"
and find parking on the roadside.
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County: |
Essex |
Town: |
Crown Point |
USGS Map: |
Crown Point |
Waterway: |
Putnam Creek |
Latitude: |
N 43°
56' 26" |
Longitude: |
W 73°
28' 14" |
Drop: |
20' |
Type: |
Traditional cascade |
Region: |
Off NY 22/9N north
of the hamlet of Ticonderoga |
Parking: |
Roadside shoulder |
Trail type: |
Dirt/rock/grass |
Length of hike: |
<0.1 mile,
1 minute |
Difficulty: |
Moderate |
Accessibility: |
Public, much is
private |
Name: |
Common |
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Stair
Falls is also known as Staircase Falls. The directions
side-bar locates parking for the "trail head" of the main drop
which is actually the last in a series of drops along this
creek. Just downstream from the stop sign on this road, you can see
the waterfall down the embankment. It is a bit of a scramble,
but there is a trail and you can get closer to the edge of the water
for a better view and decent picture opportunities. As
with many waterfall locations we have visited, the increase in
foliage over the past few years since our previous visit has
decreased the view of the waterfall.
The layers
of rock at this point are very evident as you look at this wall
that the creek plunges over.
After enjoying this area, walk back to the corner and go to the
bridge. Upstream another 150 feet or so is another small waterfall.
This one only drops about 4 or 5 feet. Property
surrounding this has been posted so please enjoy this view from
the bridge.
Actually this area
is abundant with waterfalls. Stair Falls gets its name from
the succession of drops upstream from this area. If you turn
right at the stop sign you will soon come to another corner.
Take a left on CR 2 and within a very short distance, you will see
the creek on your left. Several small step cascades are visible
in this area and there are probably dozens more that are not visible
to the public. Be advised that this entire area is privately
owned and much of it is posted. Enjoy the view from the roadside.
Putnam Creek is probably one of the smaller waterways containing
a waterfall that flows directly into the main outlets of northern
New York. The main falls is only about three miles from the
outlet to Lake Champlain.
Last update: May 23, 2016
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