Oneonta Gorge

A hot summer just would not be complete without a visit to the Oneonta Gorge! We went with some friends prepared for a summer adventure! It's a super short hike to a gorgeous waterfall with a swimming hole beneath, but it's quite a challenge.   The whole hike is through the creek itself, so most of it requires shallow wading.  One short spot is very deep and the water is always very, very cold. The grownups found it was nearly up to our shoulders this year.   But first, there's a big log jam that can only be crossed by cautiously climbing over it.  On hot days there is always a crowd there, so a good strategy is to watch how others are managing it and follow.  The log jam looks different every year, but it's always too much for very young kids and would be dangerous if not done slowly and carefully. The gorge is spectacularly beautiful with sunlight streaming in and reflecting off the rippling water.  This summer the kids found that previous explorers had made little cairns by the swimming hole.  They were excited to add to the rock sculptures. 

Adding to the cairns.

The deepest water.

Making the deep passage.

The gorge side of the log jam. 

The kids tried their luck at catching little fish at the bridge.  A colorful garter snake was fishing too.