A visit to the Finger Lakes region of New York State is always refreshing and rejuvenating, seldom without excitement and exhilaration. Renowned for its scenic beauty, this area boasts over 11 lakes and countless waterfalls, each more charming than the last. At the southernmost tip of Lake Canandaigua lies a natural wonder, an exceptionally picturesque spot—Grimes Glen. Located in the town of Naples, this spectacular gift of nature offers one of the most reachable and rewarding hikes for nature enthusiasts.
Discovering Grimes Glen
Grimes Glen, a one-mile (1.6 km) creek walk, is celebrated for its stunning waterfalls and impressive gorge walls. As you wander upstream, you’ll encounter two magnificent waterfalls. The first, 59 feet high, known as French Hill Falls, cascades from a tributary on the left side of the gorge, about half a mile from the starting point. Continuing another quarter mile brings you to the second waterfall, 62 feet high, where the main stream drops into a natural amphitheatre surrounded by towering 200-foot walls.
For the more adventurous, a third waterfall awaits beyond a challenging climb, though it requires caution and agility. The path to this hidden gem involves navigating steep slopes with the aid of ropes, making it an endeavour for only the most intrepid explorers. Even with ropes, one is left precariously balanced at the base of a 10-foot wall of rock with no obvious place to go. A slip could be fatal.
The most exciting aspect of a walk to these falls is the delightful compulsion to walk in the stream bed, ankle-deep to knee-deep, since the gorge narrows upstream to a point where there is no bank to speak of, forcing the trekker to wet their feet in the rocky stream bed. Many, while so walking, slip and get an unplanned bath, adding to both the adventure and excitement of the trip.
The walk itself is extremely enjoyable, with the overarching forest canopy offering dappled shade and the constant murmur of water crashing from the falls into the swirling pools below. The burbling of the stream around rocks provides a soothing music, sweetly supplemented by the chirping of birds and the gentle trickling of water down the sides of the gorge walls.
A Geological Marvel
Formed by gushing meltwaters at the end of the last ice age, Grimes Glen is a testament to the powerful forces of nature. While typical of many Finger Lakes gorges that still carry runoff from uplands down into the ice-carved valleys below, 350 million years ago, the sediments eroded from an ancient mountain deposited in a shallow sea. These deposits were then acted upon by ice and water that cut through layers of shale, limestone, and sandstone, creating a landscape both rugged and beautiful—a tale of geological processes that took eons to manifest.
The Oldest Fossil Tree in New York State
The Glen is known for its waterfalls but is best remembered as the source of the oldest fossilized tree in New York. Discovered by local resident D. Dana Luther in 1882, the so-called Naples Tree is a Devonian era ancestor of modern club mosses. This 350-million-year-old incomplete fossil suggests a 15-foot tree nearly a foot in diameter near the base, with no trunk branches, yet with a leafy crown. The ancient tree species is known by its scientific name, Lepidosigillaria. Locally, it’s just called the Naples Tree.
D. Dana Luther was a Naples native and a descendant of pioneers who first settled the town. Born in 1840, Luther became interested in geology and spent many years assisting the research of his nephew, Dr. John M. Clarke, State Geologist and State Paleontologist for many years. To commemorate 100 years of this discovery, the Naples Historical Society published a nine-page pamphlet, “D. Dana Luther and the Naples Devonian Tree 1882-1982,” relating the complete story of the fossil tree and Mr. Luther.
Nature’s Diversity
The oldest fossil tree is not the only distinction that defines this panoramic place. It is also home to the Rainbow trout, an uncommon place for it to be found, as trout are not endemic to this place. Clearly, some enterprising individual must have set up a private hatchery to raise trout, who in turn evolved into this variety. The Naples Mill ponds are a strong suspect. Presently, the present population of fish migrates up Grimes Creek from Canandaigua Lake to spawn.
The Red Oak is the dominating tree that keeps the forest shady and cool while a variety of ferns like liverwort, Christmas fern, and Maidenhair fern abound among ground vegetation. The Black-throated Green Warbler and Pileated Woodpecker provide the music that punctuates the silence. Red trillium, a bright red flower that makes its appearance for a very short period of time, brightens the landscape.
Preserving Natural Beauty
In 2008, the Finger Lakes Land Trust acquired 32 acres of Grimes Glen from Naples native Don Braun, ensuring the continued public enjoyment of this natural treasure. The Land Trust’s partnership with Ontario County, which now manages the land as a public park, reflects a broader commitment to land conservation in the Finger Lakes region.
A Timeless Experience
Visitors to Grimes Glen can expect to immerse themselves in a serene environment where the constant sound of water crashing from falls into swirling pools provides a soothing backdrop. The overarching forest canopy keeps the gorge cool, even in summer, making it a perfect retreat for families and nature lovers.
Whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a casual nature enthusiast, a visit to Grimes Glen offers a unique and memorable experience. The combination of stunning waterfalls, historical significance, and the tranquil beauty of the Finger Lakes region makes Grimes Glen a must-visit destination. So, lace up your hiking boots, prepare to get your feet wet, and embark on an unforgettable adventure in this hidden gem of New York State.
A Parting Thought
On my way back at the foot of the trail, I met a very graceful and dignified old lady and struck up a casual conversation with her. It turned out that she was the granddaughter of the owner of the Naples Hotel, one of the oldest hotels in the region and a tourist attraction in its own right. Among its legacies is being regarded as one of the most haunted hotels in the United States. This reputation persists despite the fact that it is also the most popular hotel in the town. The lady was not able to reconcile this strange construct, but she did recall her times 50-55 years ago when, as a child, she, along with her family, could spend a whole day by the side of the waterfalls, enjoying the delicacies and dishes cooked in situ, in the marvellous splendour of privacy and exclusiveness, all her own. I could clearly detect a tinge of pain as she said how much the place has grown and how an onslaught of incessant stream of visitors and tourists from all over, while helping sustain the local economy, has also compromised the serenity and silence of the place.
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