The acquisition of the land by the state has caused quite a bit of excitement in the hiking and waterfalling communities.  It was about 150 years since the public has been able to get into this area.  

As you hike, you will cross several creeks.  Carefully placed stones and wooden bridges allow you to pass without getting wet.  At one point, you will come to a sign that indicates that the waterfalls is 2.3 miles ahead.  That is the last indication you will have of how far you need to proceed.  Trail markers are prominent in pointing the way however. 

Although the trail is clearly marked, there are some issues that are not as clear.  Just short of 3 miles in the trail, a sign stating "Trail" with an arrow pointing to the right.  In the arrow is written "Falls".  You are almost there.  In about 200 feet, there is an overlook with a view of the waterfall across the "canyon".  The trail was created around 2016 and over the years, the trees have grown so that some of the view is now partially obscured.  It might be wise to make this trip in the early part of the season when foliage is not as heavy.  You may, however, encounter wetter conditions at that time.

A bit further along the trail, there is another overlook.  These two vantage points will be where most hikers will get the best views and pictures.

For those more daring, possibly a bit younger, there are two options to reach the base of the waterfall.  If you continue past these overlooks, the trail will descend ... and deteriorate!  At some point in the past, this was the path of choice but since the state obtained the land, it is no longer maintained.  You may note the absence of the trail markers that had been prevalent previously.  Having said this, we did not attempt this path but did talk with hikers who had encountered others who had successfully navigated this route.  Actually, we started to try this out but it didn't end well.  We'll let it go at that.

Option two is to hike back to that sign with the arrow that we previously mentioned.  There is another trail that veers off in the direction opposite the arrow.  A few hundred yards down this trial ... which does have markers! ... you will reach the OK Slip Brook.  You will actually see the crest of the waterfall just downstream of where a bridge crosses the brook.  Our information is that if you cross the bridge and continue along this trail, you will eventually reach the Hudson River.  At that point, head downstream and you will soon come to the outlet of the OK Slip Brook.  A rock hop up the brook will bring you to the base of the falls.  According to topographical maps, this route will increase you hike by a little over a mile, if you could do it in a straight line.  With all of the ups and downs and switch backs, it will probably be closer to 1.5 to 2 miles.

The OK Slip Brook empties into the Hudson River less than 1/2 mile downstream from this location.  The Hudson flows into the Atlantic Ocean in New York City.

Last update:  July 26, 2021

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