| Directions
From NY 3, a few miles west of the
village of Star Lake, proceed down the Browns Falls
Road. About 1.2 miles from the intersection, you
will come to a bridge. Park on the right just
before the bridge.
|
| County: |
St. Lawrence |
| Town: |
Clifton |
| USGS Map: |
Oswegatchie |
| Waterway: |
Oswegatchie River |
| Latitude: |
44°
12' 52" |
| Longitude: |
75°
02' 34" |
| Drop: |
20' |
| Type: |
Slide |
| Region: |
Star Lake area |
| Parking: |
Roadside |
| Trail type: |
Dirt |
| Length of hike: |
3/4 mile, one-way |
| Difficulty: |
Easy |
| Accessibility: |
Public |
| Name: |
Common |
|
We have recently found out that this area is now posted, we
assume by Erie Boulevard Hydropower, a division of Brookfield
Power. They operate the hydro-electric facility there.
We have been told by some people that they have contacted them
and gotten permission to access the area.
Take the trail to the
right of the bridge upstream. You will come to the remains
of an old mill of some type. Browns Falls is located in this
area. Upstream another few hundred yards, you will find Butter
Tub Falls, which may be one of the best kept secrets in the Adirondacks.
Although a bit of a hike, it is a beautiful location and really
isn't that far off the beaten path. Butter Tub Falls gets
its name from several holes that resemble butter tubs that have
been worn in the rocks over the centuries.
When you first approach the falls, you will be high above the
water level. Continue walking along the ridge and you will
eventually find a path to the base of the ravine. The falls
itself are actually comprised of three parts. The top section
is a nice waterfall sending water down to a second section that
looks somewhat like a natural waterslide. From the looks of
the smoothness of the rock in the middle of this center section,
at one point it was probably all covered with water. Keep
in mind that the oswegatchie River at this point is only a portion
of its potential because a penstock diverts most of the water around
these falls. Today, the rocks in the center of the river are
exposed. There is a smaller waterfall on the south side of
the channel. At the bottom is another falls, completing the
experience.
The Oswegatchie River flows into the St. Lawrence River in Ogdensburg,
New York.
Last update: October 28, 2017
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