Trail guide and personal experience to snowshoeing to Harper Falls New York on a cold but beautiful December morning. This trail with snow is perfect for the beginner snowshoer. Starting from County Road 27, it’s a great trek out and back for about 2 1/2 miles.
Table of Contents
Basic Trail Information for Winter Snowshoeing Harper Falls Trail
- Location: Russell, New York
- Length: 2.7 miles (in winter when you leave for the trail from County road 27)
- Elevation: ~870 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: snow on dirt in a forest
- Duration: 1-1.5 hours
- Elevation Gain: 233 feet
- Type of Trail: out and back
- Who I Recommend this to: anyone with the right snow gear
- What season did I go: winter
- Gear Recommendations: winter activity attire
- Cell service: didn’t check
- Water availability: Yes, from a river so filter it
- Special Requirements: None
- Must see feature: Harper Falls
Location of Harper Falls Trail New York
My Experience Snowshoeing Harper Falls Trail in New York
Any time I go on trail I research to see what I should expect. Is the trail difficult? Will it be muddy? What should I watch out for?
Since it’s a beautiful waterfall I expected great reviews but it was the contrary. Most people hike this trail in the warmer months between March and October which means they seemed to have been presented with a muddy and overgrown trail.
When I read that people loved the falls but the trail wasn’t so great in the warm months, I was glad to snowshoe in the winter.
Also about other waterfalls in the area: Lampson and Rainbow Falls: New York Winter Hiking
Getting to the Trail and Harper Falls
The main road, Donnerville Road, to the trailhead is not plowed and pretty much inaccessible to most vehicles in the winter. Parking on County Road 27 was our only option on this cold December morning.
Wearing pretty much all my winter clothes – my heavy Lands End goose down coat, fleece-lined pants, the thickest Darn Tough socks one can buy, my heaviest beanie and goose down mitten – I headed down the road, plowing through the snow and feeling a little awkward at first in the snowshoes. (It was my first snowshoeing adventure.)
After about .5 miles of a slightly hilly road, we took a left turn to begin the trail to Harper Falls New York.
From here you have about .7 miles left to go to get to the falls.
This day was beautiful, just a few clouds in the sky and snow had fallen recently which made for a fluffy hike. Did I mention this was my first time snowshoeing? And I only fell once!
The Grasse River and Harper Falls were beautiful! There’s something magical about snow covered natural features that makes my heart thump a little faster, or was it the cold? Who knows. What I do know is the trail to get there was not super difficult but snow did make it slightly challenging, especially if you’re trying to stay dry by not falling.
My first time snowshoeing was so much fun. Being a woman in her 50s I never imagined trekking to a partially frozen river and being happy about how cold it is but in such a beautiful setting! Nature is glorious!
What to Watch Out For
- Be aware of ice forming at the edges of the river. You’re step may seem stable but ice can crack. Falling into frozen water can never be a good thing.
- Though not too dangerous but something to watch out for, branches heavy with snow do cross the trail. I did hit a few and snow ended up all over me and down my back.
Helpful Takeaways
Suggested gear and information for this hike that I found very helpful and made the hike a much more pleasant experience.
- Trekking poles will help with balance since snow does cover the uneven ground underneath
- Bring extra dry clothes in the car just in case you get wet from melted snow
Resources for this Trail
- St Lawrence County Trails Harper’s Falls Trail Guide
- Please Leave No Trace when enjoying the outdoors
FAQs for Harper’s Falls Trail Snowshoeing in Winter
Generally, no, especially if there isn’t much snow on the ground. But they are a tremendous help and I would bring them. If you’re parking on County Road 27 to get to the trail due to snowy conditions, would say that’s a sign snowshoes are needed.
Since you’ll need to park off County Road 27, the whole trek will be about 2.5 miles.
Generally, you can snow shoe Harper’s Falls between mid-November to late February, but that season can be extended depending on winter conditions.
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Hi, I’m Allie, obsessed hiker, explorer of our world and reinventor of my life in my 50s.
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