Eternal Flame Falls

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Description

AKA: Chestnut Ridge Falls
Chestnut Ridge Park is situated on 1213 acres of the northern face of a series of hills sandwiched between the Eighteenmile Creek and West Branch Cazenovia Creek valleys in Erie County. This sloping terrain of glacial sand, shale, and limestone rock has a complex, natural drainage system that is comprised of several immature creeks. The most notable being Shale Creek, the host to Eternal Flame Falls.

The park itself is a superb summer family destination; containing miles of hiking trails, cycling paths, several playing fields, tennis courts, and a wealth of picnic facilities and shelters. In winter, the hilly terrain draws crowds in skiing, sledding and snowshoeing. Eternal Flame Falls, despite being located within the park boundaries, is off on the fringe, away from the crowds, and most directly accessible from a trail that begins on the southern edge of the park.

The path leading down to Shale Creek and Eternal Flame Falls snakes through mixed hardwood forest on a sandy glacial terrain, and passes a beautiful Hemlock grove as it winds around to the bottom. The descent can get a bit muddy and filled with obstacles, as erosion as exposed the sandy earth as well as a large quantity of exposed roots. Once at the Creek visitors must walk upstream to get the falls. A few downed trees can get in the way, and if the falls is flowing, you will most likely get your feet wet, but overall the hike upstream is uneventful.

As you approach the falls, the smell of rotten-egg-like natural gas fills the air within the ravine. This is the result of seepage from layers of organically-rich Hanover Shale. This roughly 90ft-thick rock layer consists of alternating strata of brittle, gray and black shale that was deposited during the  Devonian Period, 416 to 359 million years ago. The gasses produced during the decomposition of the organics within the rock deposits are under pressure and push out through cracks and loose layers within the rock. One large fissure is located right within Eternal Flame Falls, in a small grotto that protects the gas seepage from the falling water and any wind, enabling it to sustain a flame when lit. Two other, smaller seepages within the grotto can be lit, although they can't hold a flame as large or as long as the primary flame. There are several other gas seepages, or springs, around the falls, but locating them can be tricky and lighting them often impossible. Some are located underneath the pool below the falls, and can be seen as bubbles rising up from the bedrock below.

Eternal Flame Falls is highly dependant on rainfall and melt water. It is usually only flowing in early spring, or after long bouts of heavy rain. It reaches 30 ft high, cascading over sloping shale in two segments. The top is a narrow cascade over limestone, nearly 8 ft high. The second tier spreads out more than twice the width as it cascades over shale. A small grotto, 5 ft up from the creek bed, to the right houses the natural gas spring that can be ignited to create a flame of 4-8 inches in height. When flow is high, the water pours over the grotto, covering the flame and diffusing the light like a lampshade.

Eternal Flame Falls is truly one of the most unique waterfalls in the state, possibly the country, but the muddy landscape, unpredictable flow, and significant amount of trash within the ravine detract from the experience. Overall if you are in western New York, during the wet season, and have an hour to spare, be sure to check this one out. Don't forget to bring a lighter.

History

The Late Devonian Period and its muddy and organic-rich shallow oceans deposited the shale rock layers that are responsible for the gas deposits that power the flame. We are not sure of when the deposits were discovered by man, and when specifically Eternal Flame was first lit. We suspect it was during the economic boom in the 1920s when Chestnut Ridge Park was under heavy development as a county park. It was during this time that the park saw crowds far beyond the busiest summer days we have now.

The first settlers in the Town of Orchard Park arrived in October of 1803 and founded what would become a sizable settlement of Quakers. Hills that contain the park are named for the chestnut forest that once covered them. In the early 1900s nearly all the chestnut trees were decimated by blight.

Hiking / Trails / Exploration

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult, due to muddy and instable terrain, steep trails, and unavoidable creek walking.

Distance: Just over a half mile one way. Unless you get lost, then it will be considerably more.

Markings: Blue rectangular blazes on the trees.

Description: Chestnut Ridge Park contains numerous trails, but here we are concentrating on the main trail that leads directly to Eternal Flame Falls.

From the parking area and the park trail map, head into the woods (this part of the trail is an old road) and soon you will come across a kiosk containing a description of the trail and falls. Near this kiosk is a downed and rotting redwood tree, a species unusual for this region. This marks the trailhead to Eternal Flame Falls, follow the blue rectangular wooden blocks nailed to the trees.

About a tenth of a mile in, the trail will dip down and you will have to cross Shale Creek (this is upstream from the falls). At this point, you could creek walk downstream to see two small cascades and reach the top of Eternal Flame Falls. To get to the base of the falls, cross the creek and continue up the dirt trail. Soon you will pass a hemlock grove on your right and be able to hear the falls to the left (if it is flowing). Continue along the trail as it begins to dip down into the ravine.

The mud trail begins to show heavy signs of erosion as the elevation decreases. Watch out for exposed roots. At about 0.2 miles, the trail reaches the creek bed and switches back. At this point the blue blaze trail ends and you now have to creek walk the last half of the way. There are no waterfalls to climb along the way, but there are some downed trees you will have to scramble over.

Reach the falls at about 0.52 miles. Turn around and follow the same trail to get back to the road.

Maps: Park Map (BlfO); See also the interactive map below.

Photography tips

Is it flowing? — There's nothing more disappointing than making the  hike down into the gorge then scrambling upstream to get to the falls, only to find it dry. 10 minutes into the hike you will cross Shale Creek upstream from the falls. The rule of thumb: if you can cross the creek here and remain dry, then the falls will at best be a trickle.

Got a light? — Although the gas spring is 100% natural, the flame isn't. Bring a lighter to get it going.