This winter has been a brutal one…or so I’ve heard. You see I think the trick to winter is  finding ways to enjoy it. Living in the North east means I, along with millions of others, have been facing windchills taking us below zero and while our noses and toes-es haven’t benefitted much, much of nature has and we have opportunities to see amazing sights many may never glance at.

Lecthworth State Park, about 45 minutes away from Rochester, NY, has become one of these scenes. Known as the Grand Canyon of the east, Letchworth draws thousands of visitors during the summer months, but a turn of events has caused these numbers to return in the bitter winds.

Natural ice castles.or something like that.

The upper and middle falls have frozen over as well as the geyser outside of the Glen Iris Inn and in return we are graced with incredible sights to be seen.

I was so happy to trek over to the park on my day off to take it all in and share some of my own photographs from my trip.

want to see them for yourselves? Pack plenty of layers and some good hiking shoes. The park isn’t accessible from all entrances and you cannot drive from the north (Mt. Morris dam) entrance all the way to the falls, Be sure to navigate to the Castille entrance (from the west) or the Portageville entrance (from the south or east). You will want to head towards the falls area and be parking in the lot right by the inn and the frozen geyser. With ease you will be able to see the geyser and the frozen middle falls. Lace up some sturdy boots to follow the snow-packed trail that will lead you up to the upper falls (its about a 5-10 minute walk depending on your ability and how far up you would like to go).

The snow and the cold won’t be going anywhere anytime soon, so instead of letting it defeat you, why not make a day trip of it and enjoy the beautiful sights nature has created.