Moss Island
Little Falls, New York | |
Designated | 1976 |
---|
Moss Island is an island in
Description
Moss Island is 1,500 feet (460 m) long and 625 feet (191 m) wide.
Geology
The cliffs of Moss Island are composed of metasyenite.
History
The first locks around the waterfall were created in 1793.[4] A dry 19th century Erie Canal lock (Enlarged Erie Canal Lock #36) is located next to the southeastern service road. The current Lock 17 is one of the tallest locks of its type in the world and the largest in the New York State Barge Canal system. The lock uses a guillotine gate on its eastern side.
In 1974, the New York State Thruway was planning to build a bridge over Moss Island, but after negative publicity, it was rerouted around the island.[4]
Recreation
Moss Island is known for its rock climbing.[4] It also provides access to disabled fishermen. The island connects to Lock 17, and its operation can be viewed from the island. A walkway next to the guillotine gate is available to cross the canal. Admission to parking, the lock and Moss Island is free. The island is known for its circular rock formations, and the opposing side of the island is a popular rock climbing cliff.
Rock climbing
Moss island is frequently referred to as an outdoor gym. With a huge range of very easy to very hard climbs, and a very short approach Moss Island is a convenient place to climb. From the base it's no more than a 5 minute walk to set up an anchor. The cliffs are clean and have great protection with over 100 established routes ranging from 5.1-5.13. Many more popular routes are bolted for top rope. Goat Crack (5.2), a 45-foot (14 m) slab, is a classic Little Falls route where many trad climbers do their first leads. The island has had several famous climbers climb here including Lynn Hill. Across from the island is an unmaintained cliff with a visible crossing crack Crucifix (5.8). Further down stream a former cement factory has the dihedrals, a 0.25-mile (0.40 km) 100-foot (30 m) face. This cliff is privately owned and not open to the public.
See also
References
- ^ a b "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-15.
Year designated: 1976
- ^ Burns, Stephanie (October 21, 2007). "Hanging Pothole on Moss Island". Earth Science Picture of the Day. Universities Space Research Association. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- ^ a b Juteau, Rob (September 5, 2008). "SUNY-ESF professors tour Moss Island". Little Falls Times. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012.
- ^ ISBN 0881508179. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
- Childs, G., & Thomann, G. C. (2012). A Climbing Guide to Moss Island, Little Falls, NY. (Version ed., Vol. 1.3). Little Falls: Singletrack Publishing.
- Juteau, R. (2010, March 16). City to Stop Issuing Moss Island Rock Climbing Permits. Little Falls Times.
- Kellet, L. (2011, May 13). 'C.A.R.E.-ing' About Moss Island. Little Falls Times.
- Little Falls. (2011). City of Little Falls: Activities[dead link]