Bastion Falls

Information about Bastion Falls:

Name: Bastion Falls

County: Greene

Region: North-South Lake

Location: Lake Creek Ravine

Order within ravine: 2nd of 2 drops (1=highest elevation)

Drops within waterfall: 3

Total Height: 71' (measured by Dean Goss at Waterfalls of the NE )

Top Elevation: 1,704'

Bottom Elevation: 1,633'

Type of Waterfall: plunge & cascade

Number of Drops: 3

GPS location: N 42 11.487, W 74 04.233

WGS84 location: 42.19145, -74.07055

Deg, Min, Sec location: N42 11 29, W74 04 13

UTM location: 18N 576744, 4671451

Previous or Alternate Names: Sebation Falls, Horse shoe Falls, Rip Van Winkle Falls

Description: This waterfall consist of 3 drops. When hiked from the bottom of Lake Creek, it is very difficult to get above the falls. In the middle of the summer the flow of water is very poor. After a rain storm of 4-5" the falls looks the best. When there is 10"+, the falls look scary, and they are dangerous.

Hiking Distance: ~0.5 miles (round trip).

Best time to Visit: After a large rain storm (4-5" of rain) and in the late afternoon. The sun will shine up the clove late in the afternoon.

Trail Information: Hiking Kaaterskill Falls

Time: Average 1/2 hours round trip

Elevation Loss: 55' from Molly Smith (Rip's Lookout) Parking Lot.

Difficulty: Easy

Access to top of waterfalls: Hike from Rt 23a

Access to bottom of waterfalls: Next to the bridge on Rt 23a (horseshoe turn)

Digital Mapper: Topo Terrain Satellite

Known Access Safety: These waterfalls can be very dangerous after a rain storm.

Known Access Safety: The rocks near the water can be dangerous

Known Access Safety: Do NOT cross creek.

Known Access Safety: Do NOT hike hear the falls or the trail when creek is raging

Known Access Safety: Walking down the road is very dangerous - Walk on the other side of the guard rail on the west bound lane

Access Methods: Bastion Falls are right on Rt 23a.

Maps, Profile, and GPS files

Directions to Trail Head to the Bottom of Kaaterskill Falls from the NYS Thruway

Take New York State Thruway to Exit 21 (Catskill).

Take a left out of the NYS Thruway entrance road.

Go approximately 1/4 mile

Take a right onto Route 23 West

Go approximately 6.6 miles to Cairo, NY

Take a LEFT onto Rt 32. McDonalds Rest. on corner.

Go approximately 7.7 miles on Rt 32

Take a RIGHT onto Rt 23A

Go approximately 5.7 miles on Rt 23A .

After going around the Horseshoe turn (by Bastion Falls), park 1/4 mile past the Falls at Rip's Lookout.

Comments about this Hike

Bastion Falls is at the Trail head to the trail to Kaaterskill Falls. This is the most popular trail in the Catskill Mountains. On a weekend, thousands of people line the road to hike up to the base of Kaaterskill Falls. Usually, Lake Creek is at low water, and the view is disappointing. But, at high water you will see the same view as the pictures displayed below. High water usually comes after 4-5 inches of rain. The best photo opportunity is usually later in the day. The sun will shine up the Lake Creek Ravine later in the day. The most awesome view is from the base of the Kaaterskill Falls.

Bastion Falls can be very beautiful, or they can be quite ugly. The amount of water will determine how good the view will be. In the middle of the summer, Lake Creek can be just a trickle. After a very large rain storm, it can be a raging monster.

Mile Post Chart for Trail Bastion Falls

Mile Post Altitude Notes
0.00 1,900’ Parking Lot on Route 23A (above and past Bastion Falls - past Horseshoe turn over bridge). Walk down Route 23a to bridge running over Spruce Creek (just below Bastion Falls). When you walk down Route 23a, stay on the other side of the guard rails to avoid being hit by a car. Respect car traffic.
0.22 1,945 After walking over bridge, you will be at Bastion Falls.
0.44 1,900 Return to Parking Lot.

Pictures of Bastion Falls

View Bastion Falls from the bridge in the Fall - After 5 inches of rain
Photo by Richard Kugel

Bastion Falls between Low Water & Moderate Water
Photo by Catskill Mountaineer

Bastion Falls after Hurricane Irene.
Photo by Catskill Mountaineer

Bastion Falls after Hurricane Irene.
Photo by Catskill Mountaineer

Links and References:

Catskill Mountaineer Hiking Information on Kaaterskill Falls

S E C T I O N S

W E A T H E R

O T H E R