Zoar Valley - Safety

Safety

Enjoying Zoar Valley's beauty is not without responsibilities, particularly to the safety of yourself and the others in your group. Tragically, lives are lost in the canyon almost every year (providing citations here would only clutter the article with newspaper links, and might upset families and friends of the victims). Other visitors have been severely injured or have needed costly and hazardous rescues. A few simple rules can prevent many of these situations.

1) Never climb ANYTHING within or near the canyon (this is especially true of the waterfalls). Zoar's Devonian shales and associated loose debris are far too friable. A good rule of thumb is "if you'd need to use your hands, don't climb the slope."

2) Never hike down a slope unless you or a member of your party is ABSOLUTELY sure the path can be safely traversed, i.e. they've done it before. There is nothing more treacherous than hiking downhill, and many of Zoar's sheer cliffs are hidden by deceptive tree-lined slopes at their crests.

3) Use great caution around or when crossing the Cattaraugus. Visitors are strongly encouraged to check river levels on-line.

4) Do not float the river in inner tubes, pool floats, etc. in any but the lowest of summer flows. There have been drownings. Higher water and colder seasons are for professionally guided tours or for experienced river runners. And...

5) Plan you hike and hike your plan. Know what you are doing and let others back home know as well. Do NOT start a hike late in the day. It's always farther back to the trailhead than you think. The canyon goes pitch black well before true sundown and the temperature drops like a stone even in summer. Watch the weather, and begin heading out if any thunderstorms develop, including those that appear to be hitting upstream. The river rises uncannily fast, so don't get trapped.

Make your visit the first of many - not your last.