High Falls is a 10-foot steep cascade on the Oswegatchie River in St. Lawrence County, New York, deep in the Five Ponds Wilderness of the Adirondacks. It is the largest drop on the main branch of the river, and with no road within about 6 miles, it is reached only by a long hike or a multi-day canoe trip.
The falls
The river slides over glaciated granite gneiss in a single short drop. Lidar estimates place the drop at about 10 to 12 feet and no more than 15, still unconfirmed on the ground; other figures give 15 feet.
Getting there
The wilderness is managed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation; admission is free and the area remains open year-round. On foot, the High Falls Loop runs 15 miles between two trailheads 0.4 mile apart on South Shore Road in Wanakena, with a 0.4-mile spur to the falls. The route follows a natural wilderness trail with wet sections and beaver flooding. The shortest trail route covers more than 6 miles each way and is rated difficult; another option involves a boat ride to Janack's Landing on Cranberry Lake followed by a hike.
By canoe, a hand-carry launch sits at the end of Inlet Road in the town of Fine, requiring 11.1 miles of paddling upstream to the falls, typically taking about eight hours up and five back. Rapids are Class II or less and can be lined from shore. Canoe journeys generally require an overnight stay. Private inholdings lie within the wilderness; do not trespass.
When to go
The wilderness is open year-round.
On site
Two lean-tos stand at the falls on a first-come, first-served basis, with no reservations. A 450-foot portage trail on river right bypasses the drop and leads to two campsites and a lean-to. A 2020 paddling account describes swimming in the pool below the falls. Visitors should watch for poison ivy along the shore, and damage from the 1995 windstorm remains visible.
History and name
The name reflects its standing as the biggest drop on the main Oswegatchie rather than any great height. The Rich Lumber Company ran a logging railroad between Wanakena and High Falls from about 1902 to 1912, and the Old Military Road, built in 1812 to 1815, passes half a mile south. The falls are a scenic special interest area in the State Land Master Plan.
Nearby
Sliding Falls is 3.2 miles away, and Sliding Rock Falls is 5.9 miles away. Also on the Oswegatchie, Newton Falls is 10.8 miles away and Butter Tub Falls is 12 miles away.
Distances are straight-line.