If it weren't enough for the charming town of Naples to anchor the southern end of Canandaigua Lake (a long, gloriously deep, and beautiful Finger Lake), it has two noteworthy creek walks. If you aren't from the region, take note: creek walking is a thing in the Finger Lakes. Grimes Glen is an ideal specimen of such an outing.
Just under 1.5 miles on the there-and-back trail takes you through a refreshing and alluring creek flowing with clean water. Temperatures are easily 10 to 15 degrees cooler along the creek due to the flowing water, thick mixed hardwood forest providing ample shade, and deep glen walls dripping with plants, water seeps, and ferns. You couldn't ask for a more perfect spot on a hot summer day.
The initial part of the creek is wide and flat. It eventually gets more narrow before going around a bend, opening back up, and treating hikers to the first waterfall. This waterfall cascades over a protrusion of shale and invites scrambling up directly in the water. After the first falls, continue on through the creek, where it gets more narrow, and the glen walls grow high. Little sunlight makes it through this part of the walk. After this narrow section—pay attention, an almost-invisible layer of moss makes the underwater rocks as slippery as ice in spots—you'll arrive at the second falls, complete with a natural pool.
Grimes Glen has been recently integrated into Ontario County Parks, and the trailhead has restrooms and a paved lot with limited parking. If there is no space, more parking can be found farther along Vine Street, but be prepared for a walk that will add about 0.75 mile to your day. Dogs are welcome, but keep them leashed and definitely clean up any messes, because people are swimming and splashing directly in the creek the entire way. There is a path that runs alongside most of the creek. Bring water shoes, because this creek is not kind to bare feet.
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