Horseshoe Mine Falls – Shawangunk Ridge State Forest

October 15, 2022 – Spring Glen, NY

Problem: straightforward

Size: Roughly 1/4 mile

Route sort: out and again

Overview:

Horseshoe Mine Falls, often known as Buttermilk Falls, is a A 60 ft. tall sliding cascade that ends with a plunge over an entrance to an previous mining exploratory tunnel. The tunnel is kind of deep. Parking is roadside just some hundred ft away on Lewis Street.

Labored in 1853, Horseshoe Mine was opened by a tunnel pushed southwest into the mountain. The placement of its entrance was decidedly on the foot of the waterfall. Throughout its operation, the course of water was diverted away from the adit to permit a dry route for its slim gauge railroad to enter.

Though the mine was situated inside shut proximity to a serious railroad, it was not a producer. It’s probably that lead and probably zinc have been the chief metals as different lead-zinc mines exist within the basic space. Little or no waste rock stays on web site and little else is thought concerning the operation.

Horseshoe Mine Falls is located simply throughout the northwestern boundary of Shawangunk Ridge State Forest and is fed by an unnamed mountain stream that flows by the forest east to west from New York State Route 52. See orange arrow beneath.

Shawangunk Ridge State Forest Path Map

Methods to get there:

The parking space is situated about 0.4-mile previous the Spring Glen Campgrounds on Lewis Street in Spring Glen, NY in Ulster County. As you drive in a northerly course on Lewis Street, look to your proper for 2 previous stone bridge abutments with a stream flowing between them. There may be pull-off parking for a number of vehicles alongside the street. If the circulation is substantial, it is best to have the ability to hear the waterfall from the street.

Previous stone bridge abutments – Lewis Street

A large path leads as much as the previous O&W Railway. This previous railroad proper of manner could in the future be a part of the O&W Rail Path.

Wide path to the left of the bridge abutments - Spring Glen

Large path to the left of the bridge abutments – Spring Glen

Previous O&W Railway – Spring Glen

Don’t flip onto the deserted railbed, as a substitute proceed straight forward on the unmarked path that follows the unnamed tributary upstream.

Horseshoe Mine Falls Path

From there it’s a quick stroll to the waterfall.

Horseshoe Mine Falls

I’ve visited this waterfall on quite a few events and it by no means will get previous. Under are some pictures from earlier visits throughout completely different seasons.

June 26, 2016

Horseshoe Mine Falls

March 5, 2017

Horseshoe Mine Falls

October 6, 2020

Horseshoe Mine Falls

This simply accessible picturesque waterfall is finest considered after a rainfall or through the Spring thaw. Since it’s a quick and straightforward stroll to and from, it’s possible you’ll need to mix this with a hike within the space, such because the Bear Hill Nature Protect, Minnewaska State Park, Sam’s Level, or any close by hike on the Shawangunk Ridge.

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