 Copper Rock Falls is one of eight well-known waterfalls
on the South Branch of the Grass River which are fairly easy to
access from the Tooley Pond Road. This road connects CR 27 in the hamlet of Degrasse
to NY 3 near Cranberry Lake. Like many of the falls on this
road, it is on DEC maintained state land, accessible to the public.
It is also possible to reach this location from the Route 3 end
but our information details access from the north.
This particular falls is 8.9 miles from the Degrasse end.
As you proceed from the Degrasse end toward Cranberry Lake, you
will cross a bridge. This is the Grass River
and the access to Copper Rock Falls is just ahead on your left.
The DEC staff has recently done some work on the trails in this
area, including a sign at the trail head of this waterfall.
Of the
falls on this road, it is the only one on that side of the road,
although the new trailhead sign is on your right. We
surmise it was placed across the road because there is a creek
running parallel to the road here. There is not much
distance between the edge of the road and the creek. If
they had put the sign before the creek, it may have protruded
into the road. If they had put it behind the creek it
would have been harder to see.
The sign indicates the hike is 0.5
mile. This is probably a one-way distance from the trail
head to the furthest waterfall, Copper Rock Upper Falls #2.
You reach the river's edge at a little over 1/10 of a mile. Head upstream and you are
will come to the base of Copper Rock Falls.
One look at these falls and it is obvious how it got its
name. The rocks in its path have large spots of copper
coloring. There are three channels here. River right
goes around the far side of an island. If you look
closely, you can see a plunge near the top of the island.
River left is the prominent channel and part of it diverts
through the island near the top of its descent.
If you visit early in the spring, parts of the trail might
actually be under water and the river here is close to twice as
wide as other times of the year. When the Grass River is
helping Mother Nature rid the Adirondacks of the winter snow,
the river at this point is high enough that you won't even see
the rocks that are present during the rest of the year.
During spring run-off, if it weren't for the trees, you may not
even realize that these is an island there.
Another 1/10 of a mile or so further upstream, you will reach
a curtain cascade which is the top of Copper Rock Falls.
Do some exploring when you are here. There are two other
nice waterfalls further up,
Copper Rock Upper Falls #1 and
Copper Rock Falls #2.
The Grass River flows into the St. Lawrence River in Massena,
in St. Lawrence County.
Note: Depending upon which map or sign you are using, this
river is referred to as either Grasse or Grass.
Officially, it is Grass.
Last update: August 5, 2021
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