Escarpment Trail is a 3.7 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Voorheesville, New York that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
$6.00 Vehicle Use Fee. The visitor descends 60 ft (18 m) to the base of the escarpment via a metal staircase. From here the trail follows the base of the escarpment passing under the Minelot Falls and by the stream exiting from a small cave in the base of the rocks. This water is actually from Thompson Lake, some two miles (3 km) away, which makes its way through the porous limestone until it exits here. At the end of the trail, a second set of metal staircases take the visitor back to the top of the escarpment. The trail then continues back to the parking lot, offering excellent panoramas.
December 13, 2020
November 29, 2020We didn't finish the whole trail because the view pretty much stays the same throughout which is really nice but not really worth the calories for us lol The stairs to the lower part of the trail where you can walk near the falls was closed when we went because of maintenance people leaf-blowing. We probably could have waited for them to finish but it was a bummer not knowing this was a bad time beforehand :/
November 28, 2020November 26, 2020A bit muddy. Thanksgiving Day
November 6, 2020Crowded at the bottom with people taking pictures of the waterfall, but once you start into the trail proper it's a very nice hike, good views, well marked, would do again.
October 18, 2020Awesome so beautiful in the fall
October 7, 2020It was a perfect day for a walk on this trail. The sky was clear and you were able to see for miles all the way to Albany and beyond.
October 4, 2020awesome view and super fun!!!
September 20, 2020September 5, 2020nice views, great variety of birds. Not uncomfortably crowded.
September 5, 2020August 1, 2020Beautiful shades pathway along base of open limestone rock faces. Steep drop along base of trail.
July 11, 2020If you park at the visitors center it’s 7$. But you can park else where for free. Due to Covid-19 all the trails are one way. Tons of new signage helps you navigate the trails. I suggest doing the escarpment trail above and turn it into a loop with the Indian ladder trail below. The decent is steep and can be slippery. However the waterfalls were all dried up when I went. Trail can also be slightly rocky and there is a possibility of rocks falling from above. Dog are allowed on leash!
July 1, 2020beautiful views want to wear hiking shoes steep in spots
June 13, 2020Great views. we went early in the day and there were few people on the trail. Very narrow in parts. Trails was a little rocky but relatively easy.
June 10, 2020Some trails were closed. $6 parking fee. Views were still pretty at the ones that were open.
May 27, 2020Hiked today. Well maintained. Beautiful trail, great views. I picked up a bunch of trash along the trail. I carried a mask with me, but other people on the trail did not social distance or wear masks.
February 16, 2020Very open trail that runs along a ridgeline, usually close to the road, picnic areas, and parking lots. Part of the trail goes through an overlook parking lot. Some increases and decreases in elevation, but nothing very challenging for an experienced hiker. Good for families with kids or dogs, hikers in sneakers, or anyone else who wants to take in gorgeous views of the horizon as they walk along the trail. We hiked about 2 miles of this trail in the winter, starting from the visitor center, while the area was snowed over and empty. During warmer days, it usually looks pretty crowded.
November 11, 2019Did the Escarpment trail beginning from the Elm Ridge parking lot with some friends and my 10-year-old son. Didn’t look at the map on this one, hoping to be surprised and found the 4.25 mile incline to be a beast. The terrain yesterday was icy with light snow with temps in the high 30’s low 40’s, perfect for our hike. Loved doing this hike with my son, who surprisingly conquered it in his wet adidas sneakers. It was a difficult incline but a fantastic workout going up and coming down. I totally needed to push myself this weekend and got a great workout before snowboard season. Altogether from the Elm Ridge parking lot in Windham NY, it was approx 8.5 miles to the summit and back, I think.
November 10, 2019Indian ladder trail was closed. Easy walk along the ridge.
October 11, 2019Great hike. Nice trail conditions
September 1, 2019It was nice and easy enough for the kids. We had a good time with 9 kids ages 2-13
August 31, 2019Great hike to bring kids along. Makes for a fun afternoon.
August 30, 2019little to no waterfall
August 22, 2019Post rain walk at Thompson’s Lake. Meadow loop has lots of tree roots and some muddy areas probably better in hiking boots than my Tivas. Pretty moss covered bedrock on main trail.
