The roughly 60-foot Upper Falls is the tallest of three waterfalls in the 632-acre Plotter Kill Preserve in Rotterdam, where the Plotter Kill drops about 900 feet over 3.5 miles to the Mohawk River. The rim-trail loop traverses steep ravine terrain.
At 60 ft, it stands above roughly 48% of the 775 documented falls in this guide.
The falls are fed by Plotter Kill. You'll find it in Schenectady, New York. It is protected within Schenectady County.
This is a moderate hike waterfall: a longer day hike, roughly one to several miles each way. Plan for a moderate hike; sturdy shoes, water, and a little time on the trail are worth bringing. The walk to the main viewpoint runs about 5.7 miles round trip. Base a visit out of Rotterdam, the closest town.
When to go: spring. Like most waterfalls, Plotter Kill Upper Falls runs highest after snowmelt or heavy rain and can thin out in late summer, so it's worth checking recent streamflow and the land manager's conditions page before a long drive.
