New York's Longest Waterfall is in the Catskills : Kaaterskill Falls

An early morning drive alongside the roaring, angry waters of Esopus Creek on Route 28 in Ulster County deposited me onto the serpentine switchback of Route 214, just an hour outside of Delhi in Delaware County. The twisted, narrow roadway began in a funky little hamlet called Pheonicia which is a hodgepodge of hipster novelty shops and eateries enmeshed in a zone-free landscape that spans not one-half mile. It is unnecessary to exit your vehicle to view the abundance of mini-waterfalls that pepper Route 214, since the shoulder of the road abuts the banks of the creek.

The creek has gobbled up the road in numerous places, which highway crews simply refilled, paved and topped with new guide rail. The site is not unfamiliar in upstate New York where roads were built adjacent to waterways in a way that continues to baffle me.

Mother nature always wins an argument. Her rain-tears become raging rivers that will chew up and spit out up even the most sturdy of infrastructure.

In fierceness there is beauty. And that is where the waters of Kaaterskill Creek carved the bedrock to form the tallest waterfall in New York - Kaaterskill Falls.

Late March is the perfect time to view the falls, hiking to the top from North South Lake - a state maintained park.

 Due to a recent death at the top of the falls, a new footpath, fencing and viewing platform have been constructed on approach.

A view of Katterskill Falls from the viewing platform

The views are simply breathtaking.

There is evidence of erosion along the trail system, caused by hikers, bikers and adventurer seekers. Clearly the New York State Department of Environment Conservation hopes to thwart further erosion by keeping hikers trail bound.

At the top of the 260 foot waterfall, there is a trail that winds upstream to abandoned bridge abutment ruins where seasonal rain events ravaged saplings and soil on the stream banks.

Danger and caution signs are to be taken seriously, as is the beauty.

The view from the bottom, is as delicious as the view from the top

* Lillian Browne works as a newspaper and travel magazine editor to fund her adventure habit - which she indulges every chance she gets. She's exploring the world around her, one step at a time, with her dog - Charlie. Follow her on Instagram or on Twitter @browneinwalton