Bud Brook Falls
Location: Southeast of the village of Dryden; town of Hartford; Cortland County; New York.
This is along the Finger Lakes Trail east of NY-38. You can come here just for the falls, or mark it on your map to make sure you enjoy it as a part of a larger hike along the FLT trail system.
Maps: Google Map; Topographic; Interactive map; FLT Map (M19).
GPS: Waterfalls: (N 42.45674 / W 76.24975)
Crossing Bud Brook: (N 42.45720 / W 76.24983)
Trailhead on Lake Rd: (N 42.45975 / W 76.26138)
Directions: From the village of Dryden: Take Weber St east to Lake Rd and turn right.
Follow Lake Rd/CR-57 south for 1.2 miles.
The trailhead is just north of house 539. Look for the red and green FLT sign.
Parking: Park roadside at the trailhead.
Weather
Information / Accessibility / Accommodations
Number of falls: 10-12 small waterfalls.
Size/Types: This isn’t a large or gorgeous waterfall. It’s just about a dozen small drops along this brook. Each drop is less than a foot tall. Alone they would not be worth mentioning. Together they are a neat discovery along this leg of the FTL.
Best time to visit: Spring, although parts of the trail can get muddy at this time.
Flow: Low. It can dry up by late summer.
Waterway: Known as Bud Brook, official maps do not have a name. Its source is at the top of the hill you need to ascend partially to get here. Its watershed is barely half the hill, making it almost seasonal. From here it continues through the farmland below and hooks northwest into Dryden Lake. The lake’s outlet merges into Virgil Creek, which heads through the village of Dryden and meets with Fall Creek near Freeville. Fall Creek heads southwest, cutting some deep gorges and amazing waterfalls as it passes through Ithaca and makes its way to Cayuga Lake.
Time: About 45 minutes to an hour one way.
Seasons/Hours: The trail is open year-round, all day and night. It’s not illuminated at night. Avoid dry seasons.
Admission: Free.
Handicap Accessibility: None.
Pets: As per the FLT pet policy: “On private land, dogs should be kept on a leash at all times when hiking on any trail that
is part of the FLT System.” This is very important as this trail is on private land and has livestock.
Accommodations: A trail and some views. That’s all.
Description
I don’t suggest going out of your way to see these falls. It’s simply a nice treat to discover this array of tiny falls on this hidden private brook as you traverse the Finger Lakes Trail east of NY-38. This section of the hike takes you around pastures with horses, up a hill to some excellent views of the valley, and back down to the brook, where a bit of downstream hiking will reveal a set of a dozen small drops, lined up to just make it worth a stop.
History
Coming soon…
Hiking / Walking Trails
Difficulty: Moderate. Nothing crazy here, but some muddy conditions and a steep gradient make this on the higher end of moderate.
Markings: White blazes.
Distance: About 2.5 miles there and back.
Description: This is along the Finger Lakes Trail and traverses private property.
- From the trailhead on E Lake Rd, head east across the farmland and toward the wooded hillside for 0.3 mile.
- Near the tree line there will be a stile to get you over that fence.
- Head into the woods and uphill following the white blazes, through the switchbacks.
- At about 1/2 mile you will be as far up as you need to go and can start following the white blazed trail downward.
- You will be back down at a pasture and another fence/stile. Hop it.
- Follow the trail along the edge of the pasture with the tree line on your left until you reach another stile to hop into the woods surrounding the brook. Hop it, then cross the brook.
- While in the wooded area, head downstream, off-trail a bit, to see the falls.
- You can continue on the FLT if you’d like to head back the way you came. Note that sections of the trail east of here will be closed for fall hunting season.
Map: Interactive.
Bud Brook Falls Interactive Map
Bud Brook Falls Media
Videos
Coming soon…
Contributor Photos & Art
At this time I have not been able to get out to this site and photograph yet. In the meantime, those with suitable photos or original works of art, who would like to be featured here, please contact me. Photos, paintings, and illustrations would be subject to quality review, and not all will be accepted. Your work can be accompanied by a link to your site/store/insta.
Who to Contact
Finger Lakes Trail Conference
Service Center Hours are Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 2:00pm
585-658-9320
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