masshysteria
07-21-2010, 01:36 PM
Took a short 2 1/2 mile RT hike on the new Old Mill Trail in Hinsdale/Dalton. The trail was constructed this spring by Americorps volunteers, with the first 1/2 mile in Hinsdale being handicap accessible. The trail starts across from Hinsdale Trading Post, and follows the Housatonic River down the mountain into Dalton, paralleling Rt 8 and the CSX tracks.
Along the way, you'll pass remnants of the old Plunkett Mill dam, which used the water power to produce woolen products in the late 1800's.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEcq3OH1pQI/AAAAAAAADiQ/vUeaml2fiqc/s800/DSC04367.JPG
After crossing Rt 8, the trail slabs along the steep bank between the river and the CSX tracks, thanks to some very nice stone work in the trail!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEcsXZBI0yI/AAAAAAAADjM/3FLmUlyHZOg/s800/DSC04381.JPG
Near the bottom of the mountain and the end of the trail, you'll come to the remains of a penstock that fed water to the waterwheel that powered the Renfrew Cotton Mill on Housatonic Street in Dalton (now a condominium). The 3 1/2 foot diameter pipe is long gone, except for one section encased in cement where it crosses a small brook.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEcrWZLJTZI/AAAAAAAADio/z4-7pE-1KqM/s800/DSC04371.JPG
A nice hike, not strenuous by any means, that takes you through an industrial area from the 19th century. Though you're never out of sound and sometimes sight of Rt 8, and the occasional CSX freight train powering up the mountain, it has a nice natural feel about it. Two male deer browsing near the river.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEctDFOmatI/AAAAAAAADjk/rcD6HkkK7Bc/s800/DSC04387.JPG
Well worth a visit!
More pictures;
http://picasaweb.google.com/masshysteria1958/OldMillTrail#
Along the way, you'll pass remnants of the old Plunkett Mill dam, which used the water power to produce woolen products in the late 1800's.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEcq3OH1pQI/AAAAAAAADiQ/vUeaml2fiqc/s800/DSC04367.JPG
After crossing Rt 8, the trail slabs along the steep bank between the river and the CSX tracks, thanks to some very nice stone work in the trail!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEcsXZBI0yI/AAAAAAAADjM/3FLmUlyHZOg/s800/DSC04381.JPG
Near the bottom of the mountain and the end of the trail, you'll come to the remains of a penstock that fed water to the waterwheel that powered the Renfrew Cotton Mill on Housatonic Street in Dalton (now a condominium). The 3 1/2 foot diameter pipe is long gone, except for one section encased in cement where it crosses a small brook.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEcrWZLJTZI/AAAAAAAADio/z4-7pE-1KqM/s800/DSC04371.JPG
A nice hike, not strenuous by any means, that takes you through an industrial area from the 19th century. Though you're never out of sound and sometimes sight of Rt 8, and the occasional CSX freight train powering up the mountain, it has a nice natural feel about it. Two male deer browsing near the river.
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_-Gm-9HXxlw4/TEctDFOmatI/AAAAAAAADjk/rcD6HkkK7Bc/s800/DSC04387.JPG
Well worth a visit!
More pictures;
http://picasaweb.google.com/masshysteria1958/OldMillTrail#