Hiking and Cliff jumping in Ithaca

On Wednesday a group of my friends and I headed to Ithaca to the venture through the gorges. There were six of us who decided to go and it was a blast. A few of the girls that came with me were Rachel Grampp, Tiia, Gyll, Sarah Hughson, and Audrey Clark. The small hike started from a parking lot that had a walking bridge to pass over a small spring. Once you passed it you went to the trails. The trails were pretty level and not too strenuous. On the way to our destination we found a garden snake and we picked it up (I did not touch that thing I am terrified no matter how harmless it is). We also saw many other creatures in their habitat as well.

After a while the path stopped so we were confused as to where to go next. Luckily a group of Cornell students who have been there before were passing us told us the next steps. I thought they were joking, but they went ahead and starting climbing. I looked up and we practically had to scale a mountain. The picture provided to the right does not at all look the steepness it actually was. While climbing I was the last one to go. In my head the whole time I was thinking "great the last one to go if someone falls they'll fall right to me". Also I was telling myself to not look down, but obviously I did and I felt like I was going to pass out. Once finally reached the top we had to follow a skinny path at the edge of the cliff which was also a little sketchy. It was all worth it when we finally reached the spot.

At the spot there were a decent amount of people hanging out there. Many of them were from Cornell. Most people had drinks in their hand while sitting on the side of the cliff having a good time. A few people were floating in the water on tubes they brought and some people were jumping off the cliffs. Unfortunately I forgot to take a picture because I put my phone away and jumped in the water. This was a very chill spot and I would definitely hope to make it back there in the future.

On the walk back, we took a different path that did not involve us scaling a cliff. This way was a lot more hilly, but nothing we couldn't manage. Through this path we saw a beautiful mini waterfall. I wasn't really sure if the water was good to drink, so I tested it to see if the water here was like the natural waters at home in Maine. I took a tiny lick and it wasn't the best thing I have ever tasted, but it still tasted cleaner than the sink water at school.

As we continued the path, we continuously saw loads of greenery. The outdoors is a wonderful place. Walking the trails with my close friends reminded me of being a little kid exploring the trails in the woods of Maine with my family. The trips were always full of laughs and good times with my loved ones. Nature is a beautiful thing, so I encourage every one to venture through it.




Link: http://www.visitithaca.com/attractions/waterfalls