Finding Awe Again: A Day at High Falls Gorge

You can say I'm a bit of a Romantic.

That is to say, I am a Romantic with a capital "R" -- the 19th-century literary movement. Pioneered by writers like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Walt Whitman, and Henry David Thoreau, the movement inspired the exploration of the American wilderness for the sake of experience over profit. They emphasized a connection with nature, emotion, and imagination as elements of a life fully lived. Today, it is so easy to step out of harmony with the world around us. In a world of constant connection, we sometimes lose connection with ourselves.

Where do we find it again once lost?

I'm only a bit of a Romantic. Like most of us, I love my creature comforts. I love waking up on a pillowtop mattress and sipping espresso on a balcony overlooking a lake. And I love hollandaise poured liberally over poached eggs and bacon. While I will never find myself at the base of a mountain with a map, a compass, and a plan, I still wish to be in nature. To find the profound peace and overwhelming awe that can inhabit a single moment.

The Adirondack Mountains are for all who want to enjoy them. Yes, for the expert hiker scaling the 46 High Peaks. It is also for the enjoyer of long flat walks and moderate inclines. You may not know where to go or how to explore the forest safely. You may have difficulty walking for long periods of time or climbing up elevations. If you crave connection with nature but don't know where to begin, put High Falls Gorge on your autumn agenda.

The gorge was once called "the Ancient Valley of the Foaming Water". It is easy to see why. Thundering over four majestic waterfalls, the Ausable River pours into the chasm below. Massive potholes, the largest in New York State, have formed along the edges of the chasm; the result of eons of erosion. The roaring waters drown out distractions; being present is the default. In 1890, when High Falls Gorge opened as a vacation attraction, it featured a wood and rope bridge. Visitors could cross the perilous bridge to catch a glimpse of the first waterfall. Today, you can stroll steel catwalks set into the cliffs themselves and descend into the chasm itself. Bridges span the chasm in front of the falls, offering a remarkable perspective.

What Makes High Falls Gorge Different?

It is uniquely accessible for such an awe-inspiring view.

When my North Carolinian in-laws make their first visit to the Adirondacks, I plan on taking them to High Falls Gorge. After mentioning this, my co-worker admitted he'd never been.

"Never been?" Never been.

His reason? You can see waterfalls all over the Adirondacks.

And that’s true. But you can't see them like this, from every angle, you can't follow them down from start to finish. And you can't get to them quite as quickly as you can High Falls Gorge — almost immediately. You can spend an hour at the falls, or you can spend all day exploring the falls and trails of the High Falls Gorge grounds. It’s a place suitable for grandparents to meander with their grandchildren, couples to stroll hand in hand. While there are stairs, High Falls Gorge is a gradual hike that many can enjoy easily.

It is the perfect place to spend an hour or spend a day.