GRAMMY ON THE GO
By Karen Shadrach
Late spring is the ideal time to visit waterfalls.
May brings terrific weather for walking and hiking with an added bonus: spring rains and snowmelt that find their way to our local waterfalls.
It’s amazing how many waterfalls are located right here in Northeast Ohio. I was surprised to learn that there are about 100 waterfalls in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). Most are located in the northern section of the park, but many do not have an established trail to follow. Other waterfalls can be seen throughout the Cleveland Metroparks Emerald Necklace.
Spills and Thrills
You can make your waterfall adventure a one-waterfall destination, or take a half-day or more and travel to different trailheads to view several at a time. Pack a picnic or snack to enjoy along the trail. Dress for the weather, and always in layers for your hiking excursion. Wear appropriate footwear, especially if you want to take the kids to the bottom of the falls and walk along the creeks. Remember to bring along some water to stay hydrated (even if the weather is cooler).
Our favorite and most picturesque waterfall is Brandywine Falls in Sagamore Hills Township. These 65-foot falls are a part of CVNP, located between Akron and Cleveland. Parking is easy to find and a boardwalk hike leads you to the falls and observation deck. Other trails lead up to these falls, but the best is the 1.5-mile Brandywine Gorge trail, beginning near the Brandywine B&B, which lets you explore beyond the waterfall. This trail will take you past vernal pools that fill with water during the spring to attract breeding salamanders.
Blue Hen Falls and Buttermilk Falls are located closely together in Boston Township. The roundtrip hike to Blue Hen is an easy half-mile, beginning at the parking lot located at 2001 Boston Mills Road. The trail takes you down into the valley, where a bridge crosses over Spring Creek and leads to the 18-foot falls. You can then continue downstream on the trail (less than a mile) which follows along Spring Creek to Buttermilk Falls. The trail is actually a worn path, but it is a nice hike that leads you to the beautiful 30-foot cascade falls. This hike will be a total of two miles in length, round trip.
Bridal Veil Falls are located in the Bedford Reservation of the Cleveland Metroparks system. These falls are easily reached via a boardwalk off Gorge Parkway in Walton Hills. It’s a very short quarter-mile walk to view the 45-foot falls.
Great Falls of Tinkers Creek, with a height of 20 feet, is a part of the Bedford Reservation in Viaduct Park. The park can be found at the intersection of Taylor Road and Willis Street. The overlook at the park offers an amazing view. This is one waterfall that can be viewed without hiking. The remains of an old mill are near the waterfall and there is a small tunnel you can explore.
Cuyahoga County’s tallest waterfall is Mill Creek Falls, which stands at 48 feet. The falls are easily accessible from Warner Road in the Garfield Park Reservation. A small overlook at The Yard offers an awesome view of these falls. A two-mile all-purpose trail loop begins off of the parking lot. This waterfall is actually man-made from a railroad company diverting the stream in 1905. The water flow gets thin in the summer, so you need to view this one in the spring.
In the Rocky River Reservation is the double-tiered, 15-foot cascade of Berea Falls. Park at the scenic overlook off Barrett Drive and then follow a short out and back dirt trail that begins at the right of the observation deck to the falls. Below the falls is a rugged and narrow gorge that is great for exploring. The view is great from the deck, but the best way to experience the falls is to head down the trail.
Enjoy the new change of seasons and take a late spring hiking destination to a waterfall with the grandkids.
