Edwards Lake Cliffs & Pocket Falls

Edwards Lake Cliffs & Pocket Falls at Edwards Lake Cliffs Preserve in Ithaca, New York is an easy 1.8-mile loop hike that leads to the top of a 60-foot tall gorge waterfall, Pocket Falls, and leads to cliff views high above Cayuga Lake from Edwards Lake Cliffs.

Trails

This hike follows several named trails in the following order: Main Trail (red blazes), Pocket Falls Trail (blue blazes), Lake View Trail (yellow blazes).

Hiking Edwards Lake Cliffs Loop

This hike begins at the main parking area for Edwards Lake Cliffs Natural Area where the main trail lead into an open meadow where hikers will find an information kiosk with a trail map. This route heads to Pocket Falls first by following the Main Trail (red blazes) as it leads northward.

The Main Trail is easy to follow north as it passes through a "tunnel" of low-growing bushes before popping out to another open field. At the 2nd open field sits the trailhead for the Pocket Falls Trail (blue blazes). The route takes this right-hand turn to head toward Pocket Falls

Hiking to Pocket Falls - Mile 0.25 to 0.5

Around mile 0.25, hikers will take the right-hand turn onto the Pocket Falls Trail as it heads through the forest leading downhill. The trail winds north before cutting west and "ends" along Gulf Creek around mile 0.5. At Gulf Creek, hikers will find an unofficial trail that runs along the top of the 60-foot deep rocky gorge within the creek and out to a view of Pocket Falls. Pocket Falls plummets into this very deep rock gorge at about 60-feet tall in total, with a couple of tiers of cascades below the very-top. It's difficult to get a good view of the waterfall due to bushes and the extreme danger of being next to this massive gorge cliff, so watch your step and stay back from the edge at all times for your own safety. Before leaving Pocket Falls, you may notice some very small cascades located in the bedrock in Gulf Creek upstream from the big waterfall -- while these small cascades are nothing compared to the 60-foot Pocket Falls, they add to the scenery.

Hiking to Edwards Lake Cliffs from Pocket Falls - Mile 0.5 to 1.27

The hike to Edwards Lake Cliffs from Pocket Falls is fairly simple -- head back up the Pocket Falls Trail to reach the Main Trail once again. Once on the Main Trail, hike west until you reach a junction with yellow blazes. The yellow blazes indicate that you've located the Lake View Trail -- take this trail and keep-right as you navigate the forest to head downhill toward Cayuga Lake. Eventually, the trail will reach a dry run (seasonal waterfall below) around mile 1.25 -- here, you'll also find a nice view of Cayuga Lake from the top of the bedrock where the seasonal waterfall would normally flow into the lake. Here, you've reached Edwards Lake Cliffs. There are a couple of views of Cayuga Lake from Edwards Lake Cliffs -- some of which include turquoise-colored water just below your feet. During autumn, the color combination of turning foliage and the waters of Cayuga Lake make for a stunning sight. At the end of the trail you'll find a fence that separates public from private property along with a very large tree that sits on the edge of Edwards Lake Cliffs. View from here are great as well.

Edwards Lake Cliffs to Parking - Mile 1.27 to 1.8

The hike back to parking is simple -- hike east along the Lake View Trail to reach the red blazes of the Main Trail. Once on the Main Trail, complete the loop by hiking southeast where you'll reach the info kiosk and finally the trailhead around mile 1.8.

Parking

Hikers will find a small parking turnout at the coordinates provided, located along the western corner of Teeter Road in Ithaca. The turnout is large enough to fit about 6 vehicles as of November 2024.

Pets

Dogs are allowed only if leashed and must be cleaned up after.

Warning

Steep cliffs: This hike leads to steep terrain (cliffs) along Cayuga Lake. Watch your step and hike at your own risk.