Beautiful Hikes in WNY - The Eternal Flame.

Not many people know this, even in WNY, but right here in my backyard, we host one of the most beautiful natural phenomena, an Eternal Flame. It is quite rare to find, and I suggest you take a look.

The Eternal Flame is located in Chestnut Ridge Park, and is about a two mile distance from the trail head. The trail head is marked well, and the trail is blazed with a small flame symbol. The trail takes you around a gorge, and down into a stream. Once you reach the stream, you will hike up to a waterfall. Within the water fall is a small grotto where the flame can be seen (on some days, with high wind or lots of rainfall the flame can be extinguished - so bring a lighter just in case)

Around you is a faint smell of gas, this is due to the natural gas seeping through the shale and at the point in the grotto, there is so much it has been set aflame. It has been said to have been burning for hundreds of years and has seen no sign of exhausting.

This is a well hiked area and the trails are very well marked. There are many ups and downs, and they can be steep. Also, a large portion of the hike is in a creek bed. Very young children and seniors need to take extra caution - however, it shouldn't stop most people.

Getting Started

Hello everybody,

Let me introduce myself and my crew:

Quinton Parke-Thomas

Eagle Scout

23 Years Old

Noelle and Myself at Allegheny State Park

By day I am a Network Engineering Consultant for a local Cisco Re-seller and Fiber Service Provider, Finger Lakes Technologies Group.

By hobby, I am an avid outdoors-man and an Eagle Scout. I love hiking and all that Western New York has
to offer in that department.

Noelle Wojnar

Girlfriend and First Season Backpacker

23 Years Old

Noelle is my girlfriend of seven years, and just graduated with her Master's degree in Adolescent English Education. For her graduation present, I got her all of the things we need to go on grand adventures out here in WNY. She turned over when she saw all of the equipment that came in the mail.

Noelle when she got all of the equipment in the mail.

Nick Bevilacqua

Seasoned Backpacker and Best Friend

Nick and me at Nick's favorite bar.

23 Years Old

Nick has been my best friend since middle school, and we have gone on countless adventures together.
Nick, Noelle, and I have been together for so long now I can't imagine them not being with me as we go backpacking.
It's important that you take people you know and trust, as you may have to depend on them for survival. Both Noelle and Nick I trust implicitly.

Gabe Parke-Thomas

Myself and Gabe, backpacking
in Chautauqua.

Backpacker and oldest Brother

Gabe and I have been camping since we were old enough. I went through scouts, and now Gabe is coming up on his Eagle Scout.
His sense of adventure, and knowledge of backpacking skills make him an excellent addition to our team.







There you have it, the WNY Hikes Crew. Stay tuned as we are planning our first trek on part of the FLT trail.