High Falls Gorge is one of the most popular spots to visit in the Adirondacks. It is one of the region’s easiest and most accessible gorge trails and can be experienced year-round. When winter comes, and many trails are inaccessible or dangerous, High Falls Gorge still offers a clear trail and stunning views. Hiking High Falls Gorge is one of the best things to do in Lake Placid in Winter. High Falls Gorge in Winter allows you to follow an icy trail and view frozen waterfalls. The winter completely transforms this incredible gorge and leaves it covered in ice and snow.
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Things to Know Before Visiting High Falls Gorge in Winter
Entrance Fee to High Falls Gorge in Winter
$17.50 for Adults, $13.50 for Children
Tickets can be purchased in advance here. You can also wait to purchase your tickets once you arrive at the welcome center of High Falls Gorge.
The entrance fee to High Falls Gorge is higher in winter than in summer. However, the trail requires more maintenance in the winter, and your entry fee includes ice cleat rentals.
Winter Date/Hours at High Falls Gorge
The High Falls Gorge Trail is open in the winter from January 1st 2023-March 26th, 2023. The trail is open five days a week, from Fridays to Tuesdays (closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays)
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
*Closed on Christmas Day, December 25th
Parking at High Falls Gorge
There is plenty of parking at High Falls Gorge, with no additional charge.
About the High Falls Gorge Trail in Winter
The High Falls Gorge Trail is an approximately 1-mile out-and-back trail. (in the summer, it operates as a loop trail). The hike takes roughly 30 minutes to complete, with short stops for photos. If you’re a huge photography buff, it may take 45 minutes to complete.
This relatively easy trail passes four waterfalls that are frozen in the winter. The trail brings you along steel bridges and walkways for an up-close view of High Falls Gorge. The High Falls Gorge Trail is a spectacular hike that is breathtaking in the winter.
Trail Length: 1 mile
Trail Difficulty: Easy
Hiking High Falls Gorge in Winter: The Experience
I wasn’t sure what to expect when hiking a gorge trail in winter. Due to icy, unsafe trail conditions, most gorge trails in New York State tend to close in winter. So when I saw that High Falls Gorge is open in winter, I jumped at the opportunity to go. Donning my winter boots with the best traction, I set off to hike the trail, hoping it wasn’t too slippery. Waterfalls and narrow gorge trails seem like an icy recipe for disaster. Yet, it wasn’t! The trail is well-maintained. While it is snowy and icy, the team at High Fall Gorge prepares you for your adventure.
Before even setting foot onto the High Falls Gorge Trail, you are provided with ice cleats. The staff has you sit down and assist in putting on the ice cleats. With the ice cleats secured on your shoes, it is time to hit the trail. The ice cleats were such a game-changer! I didn’t feel like I was going to slip once on the entire hike.
The hike is relatively easy. It truly feels more like a walk. The trail starts off crossing the Ausable River, then continues to the right along the side of the gorge. The walk starts off with relatively nice views. The river views are quite stunning. However, they are nothing compared to what is in store further along the trail.
Once you reach the decking along the gorge trail, this is where the magic truly begins. The decking follows High Falls Gorge and gives you a closer look at the waterfalls and Ausable River. In the winter, the waterfalls are completely frozen, and the only flow of water is the Ausable River, seen under thick chunks of ice. It gives Narnia-type of vibes.
To get a closer look at the frozen falls, you can walk down a set of stairs for a view of the Main Falls. The stairs are rather steep and a bit intimidating with the snow and ice. However, they didn’t seem overly slippery with the ice cleats. I would recommend holding onto both railings on the way up and down, though!
The trail continues close to the edge of the gorge. You feel like the decking is simply hanging over the water. It is a fascinating and beautiful hiking trail and feels much more adventurous and daring than it truly is. While the decking is dramatic in appearance, it is secure. This makes for a lovely winter stroll with incredible views.
Keep walking until you reach the bridge at the end of the High Falls Gorge Trail. This bridge gives you one of the best views along the trail. It’s hard to differentiate which ice chunks make up the individual waterfalls, yet this spot is where you can see all four waterfalls from here: Main Falls, Mini Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Climax Falls. While the waterfalls are not flowing in the winter, it is still an inspiring view. In winter, just picture that they are waterfalls if it is frozen…
In the winter, the trail only operates as an out-and-back. So once you reach the bridge, you will need to turn around to head back the same way you came from. If you’re not stopping as much on the way back, it’s a quick walk back to get to the warmth of the welcome center.
High Falls Gorge in Winter: Wrap-up
Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hike High Falls Gorge in Winter. This trail is one of the best things to do in Lake Placid in Winter. The trail is easy and doesn’t require much skill or preparation. It’s such a short hike that you don’t even have to don snow pants. If hiking High Falls is on your winter bucket list, make sure to be mindful of when you visit, as the trail is not open daily in winter.
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