by Sue Freeman

In 2001 when we did our research for the first edition of “200 Waterfalls in Central & Western New York – A Finders’ Guide,” we discovered the fun of creekwalking. One the creekwalks we enjoyed was Rattlesnake Gulf, A tributary into Onondaga Creek in Tully Valley, Onondaga County. It was a challenging walk at the time due to downed trees, loose rocks, and deep holes. But the reward was a beautiful waterfall which was split at the crest to form two channels on opposite sides of the creekbed. Below the right-hand fall was a deep swimming hole. The left-hand channel offered a ledge for sitting in the spray. Climbing to additional waterfalls above this one required ropes.

This area is part of an active mudboil area. Mudboils are volcano-like cones of sand and silt that boil out of the earth. They may erupt and form a large cone in several days and then cease flowing, or they may discharge for several years. They were discovered to be the cause of most of the turbidity in Onondaga Lake and have caused the wash out of bridges and relocation of petroleum pipelines and buried phone cables. In 1991 depressurizing wells and diversion channels were built to help mitigate the problems caused by the mudboils. You won’t see the mudboils as you explore Rattlesnake Gulf, but it’s interesting to know that the ground around you is boiling. (How prophetic?)

In April, 2005, rapid snow melt, followed by several days of persistent rain caused a 1,200-foot section of the hillside in the middle reach of Rattlesnake Gulf to fail, resulting in a landslide. Large masses of clay slid into the bedrock ravine, blocking the stream, and causing massive amounts of sediment to flow downstream to Tully Farms Road. This is no longer a viable creekwalk location.

In 2003 a man drowned when swimming in the Blue Hole during a high water period. The Blue Hole is  a pool at the base of a waterfall that’s on private property, owned by Adams Eden Camp.

However, in September 2008 the Syracuse Area Outdoor Adventures Club proved me wrong when 16 intrepid adventurers braved the dangers and enjoyed the beauty of Rattlesnake Gulf. Click here to read their story and view all their photos.

If you go, remember that this is an active mud boil area. The ground is unstable and can give way at any time. Only go during low water, dry conditions. Venture there at your peril.

Click here for info on mud boils.

And here for an article on sink holes in Tully Valley.

Times Union, link to original article

Even in cold weather, fun ways to stay fit abound.
The recent cold snap reminds us all in the Northeast that winter is definitely on the way. Now that the temperatures have dropped below freezing, many of us are inclined to stay indoors, eat hearty comfort food and snuggle under blankets.

But with the calorie-laden holidays approaching, it’s important to keep active, so the inevitable winter weight gain isn’t quite so inevitable. Instead of waiting to join a gym in January, experts says that if you begin a new fitness program now you’ll ensure that when the first of the year rolls around, you’ll have established a healthy routine.

Take advantage of the crisp, late fall air to go outside and enjoy the sights and sounds of the season, all while getting some exercise. Prefer to stay warm? We have suggestions for indoor fitness, too.

Hit the road
Need some motivation to get off the couch? Sign up for one of several organized runs/walks taking place in the coming weeks.

Thanksgiving Day: Christopher Dailey Foundation Turkey Trot. Broadway, Saratoga Springs. 8:30 a.m. Registration 6:30-8 a.m. 5k run/walk to benefit the Christopher Dailey Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting youth sports in the Saratoga community. $25 by Nov. 26; $30 day-of-event registration. Information: Maria, 581-1328; E-mail: mdailey2@nycap.rr.com.

Thanksgiving Day: Troy Turkey Trot. Downtown Troy. The Capital Region’s premier Thanksgiving Day road race celebrates its 61st year. Turkey Walk at 8 a.m.; Grade School Mile (grades 8 and under) 8:45 a.m.; Mascot Race (40 yards) 9:15 a.m.; Open 5K at 9:30 a.m.; Open 10K at 10:30 a.m. Open 10K is host to USATF Adirondack Championship. Registration fees: Walk, no fee. Grade School, $12 through Nov. 26; $15 day of race (up to 1/2 hour before start). 5K and 10K, $20 through Nov. 26; $25 day of race (up to 1/2 hour before start). Gobbler Line: 235-8993; http://www.troyny.gov/turkeytrot.html.

Saturday : Run Off That Turkey Trot and Holiday Classic. St Lucy’s Parish Center, Grand Street, Altamont. Event is at 10 a.m. $15 pre-registration, $18 day of race. Information: call 861-6350 or email holidayclassic@nycap.rr.com.

Dec. 13: Santa Speedo Sprint. Lark Street Business District, Albany. Part of Winter Wonder Lark event. Registration at noon at Oh Bar (304 Lark St.) or Tess’ Lark Tavern (453 Madison Ave.); 800 m. race at 2 p.m. Minimum donation: $25. Proceeds benefit the Albany Damien Center, a community center for those affected by HIV/AIDS. Information: http://albanyspeedosprint.moonfruit.com/ or e-mail speedosprint@gmail.com.

Dec. 21: Annual Holiday Classic 5K, Run for Hunger. Columbia-Greene Community College, Route 23, Hudson. 10 a.m. Bring an unexpired nonperishable food item to donate along with your $20 bill for race entry. Register in advance for $15. Information: call 861-6350 or e-mail holidayclassic@nycap.rr.com.

Take a hike
There’s no end of spots around the Capital Region to take a short hike: Thacher Park in New Scotland, the Albany Pine Bush Preserve in Guilderland, Five Rivers in Delmar, The Rensselaer Technology Park in North Greenbush and Skidmore College’s Northwoods in Saratoga Springs all come to mind as places with easily accessible trails where you can ramble for a few miles. Don’t forget the Mohawk-Hudson Bikeway, the 60-mile bike-hike trail that connects Albany and Schenectady counties.

If you need specific guides, check the hiking section at your favorite bookstore. Albany, Schenectady, Rensselaer and Saratoga counties all have “Natural Areas of” guides published by the Environmental Clearinghouse. These books provide detailed descriptions of interesting places to walk and hike in the Capital Region. Each guide includes directions, trail maps, natural history and information relevant to the area.

See the lights
We’ve all done it: rubbernecked as we’ve driven past noteworthy holiday light displays. Some of us even make a habit of driving through neighborhoods and developments that are known for their extravagant decorations.

This year, instead of staying in the car, bundle up, grab a flashlight and take a walk to see the sights of the holiday lights in your neighborhood or one nearby.

Enjoy the ice
Before you know it, we’ll be inundated with winter sports opportunities, provided temperatures are cold enough and it snows. There will be outdoor skating at such places as the Empire State Plaza in Albany and the Spa State Park in Saratoga Springs; or cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at parks and golf courses; and downhill skiing are nearby destinations. Until then, take advantage of ice time at any number of Capital Region indoor ice skating rinks. Many offer learn-to-skate programs. Call ahead or check the Web for more information

Albany County
Albany County Hockey Facility, 830 Albany Shaker Road (opposite the airport), Loudonville. 452-7396; http://www.albanycounty.com/Departments/Hockey/.

Bethlehem YMCA, 900 Delaware Ave., Delmar. 439-4394; http://www.cdymca.org/branches/bethlehem/bethlehem.asp?id=17.

Swinburne Skating Rink, Clinton Avenue and Manning Boulevard, Albany. 438-2406; http://www.albanyny.org/Government/Departments/Recreation/SwinburneSkatingRink.aspx

Rensselaer County
Frear Park Ice Facility, Park Boulevard and Lavin Ct., Troy. 266-0023; http://www.troyny.gov/recreation/frearpark.html http://www.troyny.gov/recreation/frearpark.html.

Hudson Valley Community College (Conway Ice Arena), Route 4 and North Road, Troy. 629-4850, 629-4829; https://www.hvcc.edu/facilities/ice.html.

Knickerbacker Park Ice Arena, Eighth Avenue & 103rd Street, Lansingburgh. 235-0215; http://www.troyny.gov/recreation/knickerbackerpark.html.

RPI (Houston Field House), Peoples Avenue, Troy. 276-6262; http://www.rpi.edu/dept/aux_serv/fieldhouse/.

Saratoga County
City of Saratoga Ice Rinks, 32 Weibel Avenue, Saratoga Springs. 583-3744.

Clifton Park Arena, Clifton Common, Vischer Ferry Road, Clifton Park . 383-5440; http://www.cliftonparkarena.com/.

Schenectady County
Schenectady County Recreation Facility, 5 Tower Road, Scotia. 384-2445.
Union College (Messa Rink, Achilles Center), Schenectady. 388-6134; http://www.unionathletics.com/sports/2005/12/13/Messa_Rink_Schedule_of_Events.aspx.

Test the waters
Swimming’s not just for summertime. It’s a full-body workout you can do all year thanks to the abundance of indoor pools. You can find indoor pools at many YMCA branches, Jewish community centers, college campuses, etc.

If you’re especially brave or foolhardy, you can always swim outdoors. However, people will think you’ve lost it, unless, of course, “you’re freezin’ for a reason,” as many folks will be at a forthcoming benefit for New York State Special Olympics.

Dec. 13: Lake George Polar Plunge. Shepard Park, Lake George. Registration, 9 a.m.-noon. Plunge at noon. Information: Karen Gladstone, 388-0790, Ext. 129; E-mail: kgladstone@nyso.org. http://www.specialolympicsNY.org.