T Lake Falls Info????

[Robony]

Does anyone have some first hand info regarding TL Falls? I've heard and read about the statistics of the falls and the apparent danger, but was just wondering if the trip would be worth it. I would be paticularly interested if there is an ice climbing opportunity.

TIA

[crazy_carl]

I camped near T-lake falls last winter. It really is a cool place and the spray from the falls creates a wall of ice in the winter with lots of color from the minerals. I'm not an ice climber but would imagine you could if you had the right gear. The drop from the top of the falls is rather gradual and gets steeper as you go down. That's the danger - people don't think it's that steep and wander out to get a better view from the top and slip on the mossy rocks. The best way to see it is from the bottom looking up. Depending on rainfall the stream leading from the lake may not be very full. The trail leading to T-lake is no longer maintained and officially closed. But you can still find remnants of the old trail markers along the way if you follow it carefully. When I went the lakes were obviously frozen and following them to the outlet stream was the easiest way. Then follow the stream to the falls but be careful. Go down the steep bank beside the falls and you'll be rewarded nicely. Here's directions in case you don't have them (from http://www.runningplaces.com/route/i...route_id=308):

Rt. 8 North to Piseco. Take a left on CR 24 at the north end of Piseco Lake. Head west for a few miles past the airstrip to Haskell Rd. Park here. The trail head is on private land and is just west of the corner of Haskell Rd. on the north side of Mills Stream. An alternate route is the Trail head for the official State Trail on the West side of Piseco Lake. That is the official trail to T-Lake and is clearly marked. Just keep driving on CR24 as it turns south down the west side of the lake.

[steve40]

You can also get to the falls from the S.branch trail off from Mountain Home Road off RT 8 south of Piseco.Go 2.7 miles on S.branch trail to where it appears to end at the creek.Across the creek someone has cut a trail the rest of the way to the falls.From the bottom of the falls you can climb to the top on the right side but you must be at least 100' to 200' away from the falls.It is possibly the most awesome falls in the Adirondacks but usually not roaring.It is about a 10 mile RT and the S.branch trail is wonderful.

[JClimbs]

Let me know how they look from an ice climbing perspective. I'm always looking for a good option somewhere other than the HP. Generally the southern Adks don't have much good ice, because the best flows face south and get sun-shot.

[redhawk]

I think here is a thread about T-lake falls from last year and I believe that the DEC closed the trail to the falls.

[Dick]

I think here is a thread about T-lake falls from last year and I believe that the DEC closed the trail to the falls.

Some discussion is here.

Dick

[southernadkhiker]

Could someone post a topo map with a red line marking the way to the falls from the south branch trail, if possible.

[Robony]

Thanks for all those replies and thanks Dick for the link to the other thread. Having seen the pictures from Carl's post, I'm not optimistic for climbing. I'm going to expect thin, rotten ice on those slabs. There seems to be some promising anchor opportunities but that's hard to tell from just photos. I may decide to do a scout of the area on shoes or skis this winter and I'll post some impressions over in ice climbing. I wonder if this is a first accent opportunity.