It is the Gorge Trail that’s closed for the cold months, November through April. The Rim Trail remains open for those who dare icy, steep paths Unlike Gorge Trail, Rim Trail climbs above the dangerous cliffs from which rocks are wedged free by ice to fall on the trail. On an early spring day, after a sudden frost, we walked the Rim Trail to capture the moment.
Here is the steep start, climbing up from the Upper Park where a footbridge crosses Fish Kill. Kill is the old Dutch word for creek. Fish Kill mergers with Enfield Creek a few hundred feet downstream.
Click photograph for a larger view. To do this from WordPress Reader, you need to first click the title of this post to open a new page.
This north facing slope stays frozen into May. Here layers of the sedimentary rock shale, laid down in a shallow warm sea over 350 million years ago, are slowly pried apart. Hemlock tree roots wedge between rock layers, slowly growing. The action of ice, water expands in volume at the point of freezing, aids the process.
In places the rock face appears to be a hastily made dry stone wall, the rock layers are so disrupted by plant and frost.
These shots were hand held. I used a Sony Alpha 700 dslr with a variable “zoom” lens, great for framing compositions.
Robert H. Treman New York State Park.
Click for a slideshow of this Waterfall of the Old Mill sequence
Michael Stephen Wills Photography 
Looks to be a rather treacherous and yet adventurous terrain.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It can be, one time a corner was roped off by the police. A person, dead, was found on the cliff below.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Not surprised to hear such news. Such terrain can be treacherous. Yet, that didn’t deter your intrepid nature.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for the good words.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks beautiful and very treacherous!
LikeLiked by 3 people
It can be though, lately, even walking in the cellar has its dangers.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Michael, your post has been thinking ahead to experiencing nature even more when the icy fingers of winter loosen up.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Exactly…..thinking spring.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gorgeous scenery
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Sheree! The scenery was absolutely breathtaking, and I feel lucky to have the park so closeby. It’s great to hear that you enjoyed the views as much as I do.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Love, love being in nature
LikeLiked by 2 people
That looks like a beautiful walk, Mike!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks so much, Kymber! It truly was a stunning walk with plenty of picturesque views to enjoy. I’m glad you liked the photos, and I hope they inspire you to explore similar paths as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Real challenging terrain
LikeLiked by 2 people