Three Falls Woods – Manlius, NY

I love finding hidden gems… and I have another to add to the list — Three Falls Woods in Manlius, NY!

Three Falls Woods in Manlius, NY hiking vlog on YouTube

Granted, all three waterfalls, for which the park was named, are dried up by August… the SO and I weren’t exactly expecting that when we went, but we also weren’t surprised. (A review I saw later recommends going in spring.) And there are so many other things to look at anyway, so it’s not like it was a huge disappointment or anything. The place is beautiful!

The waterfalls are currently dried up at Three Falls Woods, but check out these potholes! - Kae Audhild New York hiking travel blogger — The waterfalls are currently dried up at Three Falls Woods, but check out these potholes!

I love rocks, and as an adult I’ve become so fascinated with geology. The northeast US has a lot of really cool geological features and I’m on an unofficial mission to see and learn about them all.

Three Falls Woods Manlius NY limestone karst topography - Karst topography is a landscape shaped by the dissolution of soluble bedrock, primarily limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It's characterized by features like sinkholes, caves, springs, and underground drainage systems. This unique landscape forms when slightly acidic groundwater dissolves the bedrock over long periods, creating intricate subsurface features. — The karst topography is awesome!

Definition from Google:

Karst topography is a landscape shaped by the dissolution of soluble bedrock, primarily limestone, dolomite, and gypsum. It’s characterized by features like sinkholes, caves, springs, and underground drainage systems. This unique landscape forms when slightly acidic groundwater dissolves the bedrock over long periods, creating intricate subsurface features.

Three Falls Woods is also home to a moss sanctuary, and we were fascinated by how it was growing mostly on the rocks, compared to other surfaces.

Moss growing on the limestone rocks at Three Falls Woods in Manlius, New York , the bright summer sun shining through the trees , lens flare photography — Moss growing on the limestone rocks at Three Falls Woods in Manlius, New York

After a simple Google search, I found:

Moss can grow on limestone, and some moss species even prefer it. Mosses are adaptable and can grow on various surfaces, including rocks, as long as they have the right conditions like moisture and a suitable surface texture. Limestone, being a relatively hard and non-porous rock, can provide a stable base for mosses to attach to, especially if it’s slightly rough and can retain moisture.

Why moss grows on limestone:

Surface Texture:
Limestone, with its rough surface, provides a good substrate for moss to attach to with its rhizoids (root-like structures).

Moisture Retention:
While not as absorbent as other materials, limestone can still hold some moisture, which is crucial for moss survival.

Calcium Content:
Some moss species benefit from the calcium content in limestone.

Shade and Shelter:
Limestone rocks often provide shade and protection from harsh sunlight, which mosses prefer.

Kae Audhild playing in a simple stick hut in the forest at Three Falls Woods in Manlius, NY — People have built a few simple stick huts in the woods.

I can’t get over how beautiful this park is! And the vibe of the land is nice.. happy, healthy, welcoming. We will definitely be returning in the spring to see the waterfalls. I have a feeling they’re absolutely stunning after a good rain.