The North Country is full of little gems containing breathtaking nature that is free for all of us to enjoy, and the Stone Valley Trail in Colton, NY, is one of my absolute favorites. As a native of the North Country, I have been a big fan of this trail since I was old enough to start hiking.
A 7.2-mile long out-and-back trail with a 728-foot elevation gain provides hikers with spectacular views of waterfalls along the Raquette River during this fantastic jaunt through the forest. Stone Valley is an apt name for this trail, as the waterfalls and rapids are made up of a conglomeration of rocks thus creating such natural spectacles of beauty.
AllTrails describes Stone Valley as a moderately difficult trail. Luckily, this trail is accessible to the public year-round and popular with dog owners, so you’re more than welcome to bring your furry friends along for a hike during the upcoming chilly winter months.
Despite it being a blistery October day with temperatures hovering around a chilly 31 degrees with flurries of snowflakes swirling around my head, I grabbed my hiking boots and trekked into the woods this past weekend for a little mid-semester break outdoor adventure.
Upon entering the trail, I was immediately greeted by a swirling mass of water, as a majestic waterfall dominates the first few hundred feet of the trail. With the water being so low, I was able to carefully climb up and over some rocks normally submerged in the flow of the river to get a better look at the powerful force of nature before me. Climbing up to the top of it, I was able to look out onto the falls below me as the water thundered down into the basin of the river as it continues to ebb and flow throughout the fall landscape.
Moving along, I eventually reached a smaller series of rapids that was, in my opinion, slightly lackluster with the low water levels. These rapids are much more active and eye-catching in the spring after the North Country winter fades and makes way for the spring thaw. This section of the river features large, flat, and smooth rocks perfect for basking in the radiantly warm late spring, summer, and early-fall sun, and makes for a popular hangout destination for hikers of all ages to take a quick dip along the trail.
Eventually, after a series of astounding views of more rapids and falls along the course of the river, the trail opens once again to feature what is personally my absolute favorite part of the trail: the Tubs. This waterfall is named for the circular divots in the rock that causes the water to swirl around inside of them. Unfortunately this past weekend, no water flowed into the tubs to create such a whirling natural wonder of water.
The Tubs are far more active in the spring as the cliff becomes a roaring cataract filled with the constant flow of the Raquette. The water erodes the holes that create this natural phenomena, thus creating more of a spectacle during each season. This process has occurred over thousands of years, and signs along the trail detail this unique geological feature. According to geologists, the erosion of the rocks was the most intense around the conclusion of the last Ice Age, when the rivers flowing through the North Country were swollen with water following the melting of the glaciers that covered much of the northern region of North America.
Overall, the Stone Valley Trail is a lovely hike through the woods. Since it’s an out-and-back trail, it’s truly what you make of it – whether you would like to see one waterfall or hike the entire seven miles. It’s beautiful at all points in the year, but personally, I would recommend going during the spring after the brutal North Country winter begins to fade away to a distant memory. Whether you decide to go this upcoming weekend or right before finals in May, grab a friend, a sturdy pair of shoes, a water, and a snack, and go get yourself out in nature.
Rating: 7.84/10.00