Mendham Buttermilk Falls

Buttermilk Falls, Buttermilk Falls Natural Area (2/15/2010)

This Buttermilk Falls is not to be confused with the Buttermilk Falls in the Delaware Water Gap or the Buttermilk Falls in High Mountain Park Preserve. The falls here are much smaller (especially compared to the one at DWG) but probably more beloved since they have been a favorite swimming place for Mendham kids for generations. And one can see why, given the perfect natural pool at the bottom, where India Brook tumbles 25 feet over a ledge. It's perfect for taking a dip, though not today.

We had anticipated combining two 2-mile loops today. This one inside the India Brook Natural Area and this one in the adjacent Buttermilk Falls Natural Area. But, given the deep snow conditions, which made hiking through the woods quite enervating, we decided to cut it short and ended up doing the 2.7 miles marked out in blue here. That's fine with us, given the fact that we'll certainly be returning to this beautiful area (less than 30 minutes from where we live). In fact, Hike Mendham.org lists a whole set of hikes that can be done in these and adjacent areas.

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