Enchanted Hollow Falls

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Location / Directions / Maps

Location: 25 miles south/east of Syracuse. Within Morgan Hill State Forest, Between Fabius and Truxton, Cortland County, New York.

Maps: Google Map; Topographic; Interactive; Buy map O1 from the FLTC.

GPS Coordinates:

Falls: N 42.76603 / W 76.01582
Parking area: N 42.76706 / W 76.02009

Directions: Take I-81 to Exit 14 and proceed east on NY-80 through Tully and continue east on NY-80. Make a right onto NY-91 heading south. Turn left onto Shackam Rd. Look for signs for the the Finger Lakes Trail.

Or use Google Maps.

Parking: Roadside parking at the trail junction at Shackham Rd. Please do not block the trail.

Weather

TRUXTON WEATHER

Information / Accessibility / Accommodations

Number of falls: 1 cascade with decent flow, 1 seasonal cascade (best seen after rain) you will pass along the way.

Size/Types: 15 feet tall cascade in two equal parts.

Best time to visit: Winter snow melt, spring, and after heavy rain. Dry in summer.

Flow: Low.

Waterway: Hemlock Brook, a tributary into Shackham Brook, which joins with Labrador Creek just to the west. Labrador Creek flows south through the valley and empties into East Branch Tioughnioga at the hamlet of Truxton. Tioughnioga flows southwest, joining with the west branch at Cortland. It flows further south, joining the Chenango River just north of Binghamton. The Chenango flows further south to Binghamton where it joins the Susquehanna. The Susquehanna flow south, through Pennsylvania, and crosses into Maryland before emptying into Chesapeake Bay northeast of Baltimore.

Time: 30 minutes.

Seasons/Hours: Year round. All day, all night.

Admission: Free

Handicap accessibility: No.

Pets: Allowed on leash.

Accommodations: Hiking trail; campsite.

Description

AKA: Hemlock Falls

I’ll admit, Enchanted Forest Falls is small, seasonal waterfall may not seem impressive compared to the larger waterfalls of the Finger Lakes region. At about 15 feet tall and divided into two sections, it can diminish to a trickle as summer approaches. However, its scale shouldn’t deter you from experiencing the brisk hike through the forest here, up and down the pristine valleys, isolated from the rest of the world. The Morgan Hill State Forest offers an intimate connection to peaceful woodland, soundtracked with the soothing sounds of wind through the trees, crunching leaves, and the trickle of various brooks. Surrounded by lush woodland, the Enchanted Hollow is adjacent to Labrador Hollow Unique Area, a tract of land preserved by the state for its natural beauty, wilderness, and historical, geological, or ecological significance. Preserving such sanctuaries is crucial, not only for their biodiversity but also for maintaining ecological balance. These hidden gems, reservoirs of tranquility and scenic splendor, provide refuge for wildlife and solace for humans seeking respite from modern life. By safeguarding these environments, we protect the intricate web of life they support and preserve our deep connection with nature. Visiting such preserves reminds us of their importance, often realized with just one hike.

If you are in the area checking out Tinker Falls, I highly recommend you take the time to check out this falls and see if it is flowing.

History

This small waterfall is located along the southern end of the Onondaga Trail (a branch of the Finger Lakes Trail). For more information on the Finger Lakes Trail, visit the Finger Lakes Trail Conference website.

Hiking / Walking Trails

Difficulty: Moderate.

Distance: A half-mile there and back.

Markings: Clearly marked trail. Finger Lakes Trail orange blazes. “Onondaga Trail”

Description: From the junction at Shackham Rd., head east winding down towards Shackham Brook and the bridge. Follow the orange blazes. From the creek, you may be able to spot a small seasonal tributary that looks almost silver, due to the way the light hits the shale bedrock. Cross the bridge and follow the trail. You see white blazes when crossing Enchanted Hollow, and Blue Blazes when approaching the falls on Hemlock Brook. Stay on the orange blaze trail and you will see the falls as the trail hooks around to follow Hemlock Brook. Trails hug both sides of the creek.

Map: Buy map O1 from the FLTC; Interactive.

A view of Enchanted Hollow Falls in low flow

Enchanted Hollow Falls Interactive Map

A closeup view of Enchanted Hollow Falls in low flow

Enchanted Hollow Falls Media

Coming soon…

Interesting Stuff

Labrador Pond Unique Area

Labrador Pond, located to the north on Rt 91, is a great location for fishing and canoeing.

Tinker Falls

A beautiful waterfall you can walk behind! Learn more about it here.

A seasonal waterfall emerging from a wooded hillside in the forest.

Photography Tips

General tips

Carefully climb down into the creek bed for a better angle.
There’s plenty of stuff here, other than waterfalls. You can shoot: snails, insects, colorful mushrooms, and general forest scenery.
Keep your gear safe and dry. The difficult hike may get you dirty and wet. Be sure to protect your gear in case of a fall.

Silky Water Effect

To get that smooth cotton-candy look to the falls, you need to use a Neutral Density (ND) filter on your lens. The ND filter will block some of the light from entering the lens without altering the color, and thus allow your shutter to stay open longer. This blurs the water and creates a soft white gloss to the foamy areas of the falls. Check out the article for the all the details.