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The Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area

by Bob Dumont

I may have been mistaken for a moment.  Maybe I was sitting in a remote area of Maine - but  I would have remembered the long car ride. Or maybe I hopped a flight to some national park out west and found this obscure place - but my wallet would have been a bit lighter.  When I came to my senses, I was about 15 minutes from my Patterson, NY home, in the middle of the waterfalls, at the Michael Ciaiola Conservation Area.

The Conservation Area spans over 600 acres. What is written here is for you to mark the spot with an "X" on your map.  This is a place for you to find because it abounds with a treasure that cannot be bought or sold.  In the middle of our busy lives of job stress and personal issues you will find a moment of peace as you follow the stream and hike through the waterfall and gorge area.  And the terrific part of this is that it resides in your own backyard and costs nothing but a short car ride and 20 minute moderate hike.  Bring a back pack and a lunch and be sure to make and afternoon of it. 

The tall trees that are born out of rock, fighting against the natural forces of gravity and erosion show the struggles that occur here. The cascading water provides the sound effects to take you on your far away vacation from reality.   The high, sheer cliffs of this gorge provide the backdrop and keep out the daily grind and bring you into the fight between water, rock and the surrounding area.

The falls is just a small piece of this conservation area.  The larger part of this is the Great Swamp, Town of Patterson and Putnam County itself.  In this small town and county are some breathtaking scenery and attractions.  Take some time this summer to explore this area, the Land Trust Preserves and the County.  It has some fascinating areas in which you would probably pay a lot of money to visit elsewhere.

About About The Trail:

The conservation area has several marked trails and is the home of the “Firefighter George C. Cain Memorial Trail”. George Cain was a member of  Ladder Company 7 in New York City who lost his life in the collapse of the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2000.  The Gorge Trail is the one to follow to find the stream and waterfalls.

Access: 

The Conservation Area is located on the north side of Haviland Hollow Road bordering Connecticut.

Standing in the Gorge	Thick Mosses are found stream side and in the gorge

Trail Regulations:

Please sign in before beginning your hike. Help us protect and preserve the plant and animal life found on this property by not disturbing the area, staying on the paths, and by observing the trail regulations posted at the entrance.