Montville Falls / Decker Creek Falls - Cayuga County

[spec]

This is on my list of hikes/climbs for next year. I definitely appreciate all the info posted here regarding access to the creek and falls. It'll make the trip much more enjoyable to avoid dealing with an angry mill owner, although the story won't be as colorful without his participation!

[bremer]

I was at Montville Falls this past weekend taking photos and an older guy came up behind me. He basically wanted to let me know that I was on his property but that photography and swimming were fine as long as I didnt climb the banks or go upstream. He actually has an overlook where he can look down to see if anyone is around. We talked about his trash problem ( LOTS of beer cans) and he said he'd recently had people in a fight get hit with class bottles. He said he knew I wasn't "one of those people" and to enjoy myself. He also said it was ok with him to go up Decker Creek. I was a bit suprised/greatful as I expected that he'd ask to me leave when I first saw him. The hillside to the south of Decker creek is posted for a bit above the 1st falls but I don't see any reason not to go up the creek. Of course all of montville/decker creek is private property so be careful and pick-up trash (there were also cans along decker creek).

Montville




Decker







This unique stretch of creek is smooth enough to ride a bike down

[cbobcat49]

beautiful shots!

[hobkyl]

[champy1013]

hmmm, very interesting. It looks like Decker may have another waterfall that you found (the larger one by the structure). I assume that 2nd larger waterfall is upstream from the first cascade on Decker creek?

[bremer]

hmmm, very interesting. It looks like Decker may have another waterfall that you found (the larger one by the structure). I assume that 2nd larger waterfall is upstream from the first cascade on Decker creek?

yep its not far upstream from the first set of falls and it has a surprisingly deep pool for such a small fall. Looks like a nice swimming hole. There is also a fall above the main falls (the one with the structure next to it). I believe that falls is in this thread

[Mark J]

I was here in June 2010. These falls are well worth the visit. The two major falls are an easy hike upstream from the cemetery, above where the stream forks. There's a major falls on each fork. The falls on the right fork is used to generate power. The outflow of the generator is in the fork of land between the two branches. This falls is heavily visited (as evidenced by trash in the area) as it is the shortest hike to reach. The falls on the other branch (to the left) is beautiful and well worth the extra few minutes to hike to.

As with many falls, there seems to be uncertainty here about access. The unmarked access from the cemetery is extremely steep. The surface is loose with a deep mixture of leaves and decayed slate. This banking seems to the be a dumping point for cemetery grass clippings and plastic pots. It's far from an ideal point to access this creek.

A more natural entry point is where the creek crosses under the state road downstream in the center of the village. I observed exactly one no trespassing sign here, on the lawn of a house and set well back from the road. The apparent address is 65 East Cayuga St. Obviously the road and the bridge are a public right of way. It appears possible to follow the right of way from the street, hugging the edge of the bridge, down into the creek, without trespassing. It is probably possible to do this from either bank, though I did not get out of the car to check as I'd already done my creekwalk using the somewhat treacherous cemetery access. Personally I would rather have someone ask me to leave their unposted or improperly posted private property than risk injury on at an unmarked access point. I will certainly explore this potential access further if I make a return trip.

[rickfrank]

Hi,

I now live in Boston, MA, but I grew up in Skaneateles and Auburn NY. I used to hitch-hike out to moravia and hike/flyfish decker creek/dresserville creek. This was about 1974 or so. I was about 15-16. I hardly ever saw another soul there, at least not past the first large fall where dresserville comes in. I hike up dresserville until it became a trickle. There were little trout all the way up to the very tip of the creek. I used to spend the whole day there and then hitchike home, wet bluejeans, and fly-rod in hand. A good day was 6 fish, we a few over 10 inches. A beautiful spot. I had a tough time as a kid and this was a perfect escape for me that didn't involve drugs.

Anyways, please tell me that it hasn't changed all that much.

I'd be willing to buy some high quality photos, especially of Dresserville, way up the creek. Either creek though.

Thanks,

Rick Frank