Eternal Flame Cave

The so-called “eternal flame falls” is a waterfalls of Shale Creek in the southeast corner of Chestnut Ridge Park in an area known as the Shale... more

by Darleen Stry

Title

Eternal Flame Cave

Artist

Darleen Stry

Medium

Photograph - High Resoloution Photography

Description

The so-called “eternal flame falls” is a waterfalls of Shale Creek in the southeast corner of Chestnut Ridge Park in an area known as the Shale Creek Preserve. A grotto on the right side of the falls (as you are facing it) has several fissures through which methane gas escapes.

There are lots of fissures in the creek bed through which methane gas escapes, and you’ll smell it as you approach the falls, but the others can’t be set aflame because they are exposed to dissipation by the air currents or are under water (look for rising bubbles.)

Contrary to its name, however, the Eternal Flame it is not always on flame but the escaping gas can usually be lighted with a barbeque lighter, so bring one with you in case the flame has gone out when you get there.
This image shows the small cave that the flame is in . The trail itself to get to this location is aonly about 1 1/2 miles. I chose to visit this trail on a wam November afternoon when the autumn leaves were still present to color up the darker shale rocks.

Uploaded

November 11th, 2012