Great Falls in Paterson

[wks]

I went to the Falls in Paterson on January of 2020.
Been years since I have last visited the site.
Very nice to look at any time of the year.

Not too cold that early afternoon last year.

Three miles away a nice pond near North Haledon.

And nearby a model railroad club open for their weekend public show.
I used NJ Transit rail stations at Paterson and Hawthorne to get there and return.
Very nice trip to hike and explore in Passaic County New Jersey.

 

[wks]

I did not know that there is a nice park near there called Mountain Reserve Park.
I wish to go back there to explore. Some nice trails I read about at that park.
I hope to return there this Spring with warmer weather and tree colors.

I have videos from my trip last year on my YouTube channel.

In my Garden State Model Club playlist labeled Paterson Falls.

And videos of the HO scale model layout for model train fans.

 

[Broke Jeep Joe]

I did work many, many years ago in that building at the bottom of the falls in your pic. At the time, it had 4 large hydro-electric generators in it. My company sent me and 2 other techs to rebuild all 4 over the course of a few years, I believe the generators were made in Sweden or something, so getting parts was a challenge. We made most of them at our shop in Delanco, lot of back and forth driving. When you are inside the building and machines, what it takes time to realize is the river is almost level with the roof on the side against the hill, the intake/inflow of water is there, runs through at least 6 foot tubes into the prop of the generator for rotation, the exhaust/outflow are the large white doors at the bottom of the building. We had underwater welders seal the bottom and top intake and exhaust doors to disassemble the machines and not drown. Quite an ominous feeling when you are inside and can see the upper door trickling water through!!

 

[manumuskin]

Is the rock the falls are made out of Rhyolite? Or is it lava? I know there was volcanic activity up there at one time but forget if it's lava or metamorphosed granite?

 

[GermanG]

Is the rock the falls are made out of Rhyolite? Or is it lava? I know there was volcanic activity up there at one time but forget if it's lava or metamorphosed granite?

It's mostly Basalt. I grew up about 2 miles from the falls and my grandfather used to take me there often. He was a stone mason, sent by his mother to apprentice in Italy while still a youth. He was a rock-hound as well and weekend trips to the falls would often include a visit to the New Street Quarry nearby, where the basalt was once quarried for traprock but a multitude of other specimens could be found, including geodes. I remember collectors being all over the place when we were there. I had less interest then than I do now and dearly wish I could turn back time.

 

[Broke Jeep Joe]

This site gives perspective on the machines inside both early and later years

http://www.teterboro-online.com/scenic/falls1/falls5.shtml

 

[Lynn Cremona]

I particularly love the Falls when they are frozen. Hard to believe you are standing in Paterson NJ when you see them

 

[wks]

I went back to Paterson New Jersey today.
I will post photos later when I get home.
I am waiting for the NJ Transit train at Paterson.
My YouTube channel has videos I took earlier.

I am posting some photos right now.

 

[wks]

Back home with more photos. Hiked about six miles.

After leaving the falls I walked to a nearby park.

Saw a cute deer to photograph.

Near Garrett Mountain Park.

Many trails at Garrett Park.

Lambert Castle in the park.

Time to head back to Paterson station.

 

[wks]

Let me know if there are too many photos. I tend to post too many.
Especially since I plan to visit more New Jersey parks.
And eventually the south with the pine barrens
I do not want to burden the server.

 

[Boyd]

I like your enthusiasm, but in the line of constructive criticism, I think many of the photos are repetitive, just showing slightly different views of the same subject. Just as an example, I understand that both versions are a bit different but IMO, as a photographer you should choose the one you like the best (I had a long career as a designer/photographer/videographer and know this can be difficult).

Same thing here.

These are just two examples. It might be interesting to see the front and back of a building (for example) but multiple shots of the same side from slightly different views are just repetitive and lessen the overall impact of your presentation. Anyway, those are my thoughts.

 

[wks]

Thanks for the advice. I shall follow that example. Especially when I visit Batsto for the first time. Many Thanks.