Part 2, Copper Rock Falls

The Grasse River at Copper Rock Falls was a magnificent sight, perhaps all the more so because the water level was not high, thus exposing lots of rocks. And the beginning autumn leaf colors added to the beauty:

Fergus and Seamus had the sense to stay out of the rushing waters, but did go in whenever they found a still, shallow part:

Hi, Dad. Ya wanna come in the water with me?:

We continued moving upstream alongside the roaring river:

And explored some of the Adirondack forest which surrounded us:

A quiet side channel:

Two very happy Papillons went exploring:

I saw more exposed, flat rocks jutting out into the Grasse River and began walking toward them:

This was wild and beautiful country, a remote place of natural splendor. The only catch was my fall the previous day at the Ausable River which was fresh on my mind. I had been made fully aware of how quickly disaster could strike and how I had no one to help should I take a tumble. So I enjoyed the spectacular scenery but walked cautiously. Little Daphne, however, knew no such fears and trotted wherever she wanted:

I walked out onto the flat rocks and snapped a photo of this lovely stretch of the Grasse River just upstream from Copper Rock Falls:

And the two "Silly Sisters" raced each other across the rocks. Notice the copper colored splotches which gave the falls their name:

We began hiking back toward our car which was parked along Tooley Pond Road:

The trail was short and we arrived at the car fairly quickly. But I had one more nearby hike in mind. I'll post about that tomorrow:

Part 1, Copper Rock Falls

My poor old body was stiff and sore from the fall I'd taken the previous day at the Ausable River and was, in fact, blooming giant purple bruises the size of footballs. But the gashes had stopped bleeding and my hike in to Basford Falls had helped me to feel better, not worse. So it was with great joy that I began down the trail toward our next waterfall, Copper Rock Falls:

Of course the dogs do everything with great joy - and this was no exception:

The short walk through the forest was pleasant, and soon I heard the roar of falls or rapids. Then the Grasse River came into view:

The dogs ran down to the water but didn't go in:

We continued moving upstream along the river's edge:

And then I saw the falls. Well, they were more like rapids at this time of year, but the upside was that there were plenty of exposed rocks on which we could move around, getting a close look at the roaring water:

Have you noticed yet why these are called Copper Rock Falls? Those copper colored blotches were all over the rocks around the river:

I followed the dogs upstream, walking very carefully with my bad fall the previous day always in my mind:

And what a spectacular scene it was. Note the two little Papillons on that rock. That will help you see the size and scope of this magnificent scene. I imagine that it's nothing but a rushing column of dangerous, muddy water in the springtime. I think I'd keep the dogs on leashes then:

Autumn colors were just beginning to light up the woods. Notice little Clover on that rock to the right of the photo:

We hit the trail and began walking back toward the trail head. Daphne stopped for a safe, quiet look at an inlet:

And as we traversed the trail, we could see and hear the Grasse River alongside of us:

This was indeed a pleasant, even spectacular hike - and all the more so since it was so short and easy. But we weren't finished yet. I'll post more tomorrow: