A silence heard only in the dead of winter has been imposed by the cold along the northern section of the Stone Valley Trail. For a mile beginning below the hydroelectric dam in Colton the Raquette River rages as it drops 200 feet in a series of small waterfalls and rapids. But now the roar caused by the river’s fits of commotion is muffled by ice.

Water still rushes through channels in the ice often sliding underneath only to reappear in swirling vortexes as it drops from under the canopy at the larger falls.

I hate to use ‘Winter Wonderland’ but what else can I call the frozen awe inspiring scenes.

A frozen waterfall from the image above. What looks like snow at the very bottom of the photo is actually foamy water.

Photographs can’t capture the experience so I strongly suggest anyone living nearby to go take a hike. The trail is well packed and easy to follow. Just stay on the trail and don’t follow my footsteps. Those that have been there know why. Newcomers will see the signs why staying out of the river bed is necessary. The dam can release water at any time and you’d be in a world of hurt getting caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. At this time of year getting swept under the ice is scarier than my spring fears of being bashed to death on the rocks before I had a chance to drown. Saying the river is dangerous is putting it mildly.

OK I admit I’m not the smartest man alive so I went down to the riverbed and laid down. I couldn’t resist getting into a position where I could get these photos.

Not sure you can read the ‘sign’ but that ice block was carved during higher water levels. At one time the water level reached the bottom of the hanging ice formation.

Not sure where to go? Here’s a Google Map to help. Park on River St. where you turn on to it. The parking area is plowed so don’t worry about finding a spot. Follow the service road past the dam until you see the bridge that goes over the pipe. Don’t worry you can’t miss the pipe. It has a 12 foot diameter. Round trip to the ‘last’ falls is about two miles but it seems much shorter since the scenery keeps pulling you along.

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