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This summer has been tough to get out and hike. Either we had overwhelming heat, or some other event got in our way. Finally, both Rich and I had clear schedules. We decided that we would explore the upper Buttermilk Ravine for further waterfalls, and look at starting to explore the lower ravine. We also wanted to look at Wildcat Ravine.

At Wildcat Ravine we look at the upper water fall and Wildcat waterfall itself. Here are two pictures of those waterfalls:


View from the top of Wildcat Falls - just off the trail


Picture taken from the top of Wildcat Falls - Look straight down to the bottom

It was around 12:30 pm. Time was marching on, and we still had quite an agenda to complete. Next we headed down the trail towards Buttermilk Falls. Our next plan was to go down one set of ledges and get to the bottom of Buttermilk Falls #1 and take pictures. For those who don't know, the entire south rim of Kaaterskill Clove has a difficult rim to ascend or descend. On a previous trip, we found a reasonable route down the rim. The series of Buttermilk Falls have a number of difficult rim ledges that make up the Buttermilk Falls. We descended down a couple. We believe that this would bring us down to the bottom of the Falls #1. Walking across the rim ledges was very easy. There were well established herd trails from animals. Each ledge was 50-100' wide. Encounter a bear here, and it might become ugly. Once you get to Buttermilk Ravine, you cannot go to the other side.

When we approached the Buttermilk Ravine, the terrain got difficult and ugly. The slope changed to a 45 degree incline on mossy rocks and dirt. Slip and fall here, and you side down the ravine. At the lower end of ravine are drops 40-100'. Fall here and you can die. While moving across the ravine, Rich had an animal hiss at him loudly. It scared the crap out of him! We didn't stay around to find out what kind of animal it was.

We move very carefully down to the bottom of one of the waterfalls. At first we believed that we were at the bottom of Buttermilk Falls #1. But, when we got there we discovered that we were wrong. Then we believed that we were at the bottom of Buttermilk Falls #2. But, we later learned that we were at the bottom of Buttermilk Falls #3 and the top of Buttermilk Falls #4. We also learned that Buttermilk Falls consist of six waterfalls comprising about 500' vertical feet. Being there was awe inspiring and scary at the same time. The drop was so extreme that we could not see the waterfalls above us. Looking down Buttermilk Water Falls #4, we could see the largest drop #5. We believe that Buttermilk #5 was somewhere around 250-300' drop. The top of Buttermilk Falls #1 was 2190'. We were between 1950-1965'.

While at the bottom of Buttermilk Falls #3 and at the top of Buttermilk Falls #4, it is difficult to move around. One Hemlock tree that was 4' in diameter had died naturally, and snapped off at the base. There was a second hemlock that had also died. Getting over them is difficult. Additionally, the rocks were very slippery. Even the dry ones. The rocks are ground smooth by the water. There is also lichens, moss, and algae on the rocks. Additionally, some of the rocks are large and at steep angles. You can get injured or killed very easy. Moving a short distance in the stream bed takes lots of time. You can only move on the dry rocks.

Looking up at Buttermilk Falls #3, there is a ledge rock overhanging the steam. At the right angle it looks like the water is flowing thru the rock. Awesome looking. We were also lucky at timing. The sunlight was flowing thru the hole by the ledge rock hanging over the top of the falls. We estimate that these falls are 60-80' high. We also encountered nettles in the ravine. Every possible danger existed.

It should be noted that it is possible to get into the basins without ropes. But, it is highly risky. You should use ropes and harness to gain access to the ravines. You should NEVER go in alone! You get injured here, and it may be many months before another person comes by. If you yell for help, no one will hear you. the noise of the water will block your voice. Rich and I had a hard time talking to each other when we were 15-20' away.

Here are some pictures:


Picture taken from the top of Buttermilk #4


Picture taken from the top of Buttermilk #4


Picture of Buttermilk Falls #3 from the bottom - camera is tilted up


Picture of Buttermilk Falls #3 from the bottom - camera is tilted up

We then started to hike back up out of Buttermilk Ravine. And, let me tell you how difficult this was. Once we got out of the ravine, we hiked for close to a 1/2 mile east to find an easy access up the rim ledge. After an hour we finally made it back to the DEC trail. We then headed to the top of Buttermilk Falls #1. Here are a couple of pictures:


Picture of Buttermilk Falls #1 from a dangerous side view - not recommended w/o ropes

From there we moved 250' south to the upper Buttermilk Ravine to Paradox Falls. What a beautiful waterfall:


Picture of Paradox Falls at low water


Picture of Paradox Falls at low water


Picture of Paradox Falls at low water

We then climbed up the upper Buttermilk Ravine looking for more waterfalls. Unfortunately, we didn't find more. We then hiked back down the trail. Here is a mushroom we found:



Exhausted we retreated to the car.

Mike,

Thanks so much for posting a trip report of our hike on Saturday. It was a lot of fun "reliving" the experience.

As Mike noted in the report, hikers should NEVER consider descending Buttermilk Falls alone. Besides the sheer drops and high ledges, there are numerous caves where a bear (or even a mountain lion) could be lurking. If an encounter were to happen, your options for escape would be severely limited. As Mike mentioned, I heard an animal hiss while we were climbing over the ledges. The animal was nestled in a small cave below a pile of rocks and was none too pleased about our presence. We never did determine what he was.

As dangerous as the ledges are descending Buttermilk Falls, the Long Path has it's own dangers near the waterfalls. The Long Path crosses the streams literally feet away from the dropoff of both Buttermilk and Wildcat Falls. The rocks are deceptively slippery. If you were to slip while crossing the stream after a heavy rain, you could easily be swept over the side.

I would also like to assure everyone that the shot looking down at Wildcat Falls was not quite as dangerous as it looks. To get the shot, I laid flat on my stomach (to maximize my surface contact) on a dry section of rock and then crawled up to about a foot from the edge. I then used my arms to extend the camera out as far as I could (I was born with long "ape" arms), pointed the camera straight down, and clicked.

All in all, a great day!

Rich

Posted by moderator for Mtnclimber:

Wow! You guys got some awesome photos this weekend. Love that photo looking down Wildcat. How high is wildcat falls? Like the photo of Buttermilk. Looks very peaceful. Like the one of Paradox Falls. Never heard that name before. Sounds like you guys had a real good time.

I have heard that Buttermilk Ravine is real difficult to get down. Sounds like you guys had a rough time hiking in there. How hard is it to get to the bottom of Wildcat Falls?

The two photos looking over the Kaaterskill Clove look just like one of those post card photos from 100 years ago.

All of the pics are fantastic, but the second one and Paradox Falls are my favorite!

Looks like a great hike! Could only imagine how few people some of the animals down there would see...

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for your kind words and interest. I believe Wildcat Falls is 60 to 80 feet high, but that is only an educated guess. I'm sure there's a way to get to the bottom of Wildcat Falls. That's something Mike and I might try the next time we hike there.

Unfortunately, this weekend is shaping up to be a total washout thanks to Irene.

Rich