Ithica NY region state parks for fall color?

[carlos_co]

I will be spending the Columbus Day weekend in Ithaca/NY and plan to

take in the autumn colors at the following state parks:<br>

 

1. Taughannock<br>

2. Buttermilk<br>

3. Robert Treman<br>

 

I definitely want to get excellent shots of the 3 major falls in those

state parks and I would appreciate suggestions as to the best vantage

points. Which of the rim trails/gorge trails should I go on given that

I have so limited time? Do people know exactly which direction the

falls face? I have called up the park offices for maps and also asked

them the direction of the falls. Believe it or not, their answers are

inconsistent with the maps 2 out of 3 times - seems like they didn't

notice that north is not straight up on the map! Unfortunately, on the

map, I also cannot tell which direction the water flows.

[rich_furman]

Taughannock Falls flows toward the lake (I can't remember its name).

A USGS Survey Map can help you to surmise which way water flows. The Topo lines point upstream. This works really well when you have a gorge like the one downstream of Taughannock Falls.

[andrew___1]

It's been a while, but I lived on Cayuga Lake for a spell. As I recall, the lake is very long and narrow and runs pretty much north/south and the inlet is on the south side. Taughannock Falls is on the West side and runs right into the lake. I believe the other two parks are to the south of the lake and run into the inlet.

 

<p>

 

Also, don't overlook Ithaca Falls which is on the East side of the lake near the Cornell Campus - right by the old Ithaca Gun Factory. While not as high as Taughannock, it is much wider and very powerful.

 

<p>

 

Good Luck.