| After a day of shopping on Main St. in Cold Spring, NY, | | | | half mile away from the parking area, it was worth the |
| our traveling party came across a friendly woman | | | | walk. The beautiful fall was half covered in ice that |
| who suggested we check out a local hiking area. The | | | | gave it a glistening appearance. A half an hour stop at |
| area was called Constitution Marsh. The Marsh was | | | | this waterfall is a great addition to a day trip of |
| only a five minute car ride just south of Cold Spring, | | | | shopping at Cold Spring, NY or a day of canoeing |
| New York. (Just short enough to include it on our day | | | | kayaking on the Hudson River. |
| trip) | | | | Marsh Trail |
| Constitution Marsh is a 270-acre wildlife reservation | | | | After hiking up to the waterfall, we circled back down |
| managed by Audubon. After following a relatively short | | | | to the landing area where we left our car. The marsh |
| dirt road, we encountered a landing area. At the landing | | | | is nestled a quarter of a mile down a small driveway. |
| area we had to choose between proceeding to the | | | | To our surprise we were greeted by a nature center |
| Marsh or driving to the waterfall. | | | | that had several aquariums and a bird observations |
| Waterfall Trail | | | | scope. The friendly staff was more than willing to |
| By pure random choice, we decided to go to the | | | | offer information on the reservation, wildlife, and to |
| waterfall trail first. About a mile further down the road, | | | | answer our questions. At the nature center, we were |
| we parked our car under a rather large red bridge. | | | | informed that bald eagles frequent around the marsh |
| Immediately after hitting the trail, we were able to see | | | | as well as several other indigenous species. |
| the creek. The hiking trail starts rather flat and relatively | | | | After a quick stop in the nature center, we continued |
| easy. | | | | up a small hill where we encountered several beautiful |
| After about a fourth of a mile the hiking trail splits | | | | views of the Hudson. The hiking to the marsh is |
| between a cleared path that spirals up to the top of | | | | approximately one fourth of a mile and is not very |
| the water fall and a hiking trail that works its way | | | | difficult. Once we crossed over the hill we |
| down to the base of the waterfall. The trail to the top | | | | encountered a breath taking sight. The marsh turned |
| is moderately steep and is a pretty easy walk to the | | | | out to be a beautiful hidden scenic area. |
| top of the falls. On the other hand, the bottom trail is | | | | To our delight after just five minutes we were able to |
| rather difficult with rocks, fallen logs, and tight corners. | | | | spot two young bald eagles. I will not attempt to |
| The bottom trail should be only taken with great | | | | describe the beauty of the marsh so please look at |
| caution and care. | | | | the pictures or better yet take a day trip and visit it in |
| Once we had reached the waterfall which is about a | | | | person. |