Exploring High Falls Gorge offers a fun experience for all. (Photo provided — Diane Chase)

There are many reasons for making High Falls Gorge, one of New York’s natural wonders, a must-see stop. Our visitors and friends are always such a range of ages and abilities, High Falls Gorge makes it easy for everyone to get close to nature. We can always go our separate ways for other activities, but at High Falls Gorge we never have to leave someone behind.

Open all four seasons, High Falls Gorge includes microspikes with admission whenever there is ice and snow, but we aren’t worrying about that now. It’s the height of summer, and we stroll cross the bridge listening to the AuSable River flow underneath us. A new cabin just opened on the other side offering beer, wine and soft drinks. Memorabilia line the cabin shelves, but we will have to return another time to search through those bits of history. We visit the nearby picnic area that has been enlarged to hold a party tents for weddings and other events. We find out that a couple was engaged at High Falls Gorge last year and is returning for their wedding ceremony. Adorable, right?

We follow the main accessible trail alongside the river meandering along the wide gravel path. The “Easy Path” is perfect for anyone of limited abilities. The Easy Path continues as a loop, but we exit to the first flight of stairs to view the main waterfalls. The water is so swift we feel the spray as water shoots over the milky falls.

It amazes me to see the engineering that went into creating these steel walkways bolted to the sides of the granite cliffs, placing us along the deep chasm. In addition to the bridges and walkways are two glass-top viewing stations that place us over the chasm. Interpretive signs demonstrate history, the power of water, and the beauty of nature along the trail. From the formation of the waterfalls to potholes carved out of rock, High Falls Gorge is part nature trail, part geology lesson. (Children can become part of the Junior Explorer Club by answering all the questions from the Explorer flyer and receive a prize. Answers are found throughout the educational signage.)

Thankfully all the pathways have hand and guard rails that are further secured with wire fencing so no one’s view (no matter how small) is obstructed. Parents can breathe a sigh of relief for their inquisitive youngsters. All four waterfalls can be viewed in just under a half-mile walk. We loop back to the main bridge and watch the water roar below us before heading back to the lodge and a quick meal at the Riverside Cafe.

High Falls Gorge is located on Route 86 in Wilmington between Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort. It is open every day, May to October, and five days a week during the winter. Hours for July and August are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and through September to October are 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Summer admission is $11.95 per adult, $8.95 per child age 4-12, free for children 3 and under. Admission is good for the whole day, so come early and stay late. The food at the onsite Riverside Cafe is delicious. For more information, please call 518-946-2278 or check the web at www.highfallsgorge.com.

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Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Time guidebook series, “Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more family-friendly activities, go to www.adirondackfamilytime.com.