Buttermilk Falls, March 22, 2013, Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area

Looking Northwest from the Buttermilk Falls Trail Vista Point

In the summer months, the Delaware Water Gap - our choice for a short day hike - gets intense pressure. So even though it was a cold, overcast Friday during the first week of Spring, we were a little worried of finding crowded trails... especially since we had to first make a two hour drive and would not hit the trail until later morning. As good fortune would have it, however, we saw not a single hiker the entire day.

Our plan called for a lollipop loop up the Buttermilk Falls Trail, connecting to the Appalachian Trail to Rattlesnake Mountain, then to the Woods Road and a final descent back down to Buttermilk Falls. What we didn't count on, however, was a closed NPS gate on Mountain Road leading to the Buttermilk Falls parking area. So instead of parking at the falls, we were forced to park at the Flat Brook parking area 1.7 miles away and hike to the falls from there. As far as I can tell, not a single guidebook or internet post about Buttermilk Falls mentions anything about a gate on Mountain Road. Oh well.

Once we arrived at Buttermilk Falls, we headed up a wooden staircase with two platform overlooks. Next, the trail goes steeply up to a nice picnic spot and vista point with views to the east into the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Peak: Buttermilk Falls Vista Point
Elevation: 1,400 feet
Distance: 5.4 miles
Conditions: Cloudy, flurries, 35 degrees F

Not Tired Yet

Buttermilk Falls Stairs

Inaccessible Parking Area