Stone Valley and the Raquette River
Go take a hike.
And if at all possible take it in Stone Valley. Start at Colton, NY. and follow the trail along the Raquette River. At the northern end of the trail the Raquette River drops more than 200 feet in a series of waterfalls in less than a mile. Along this section of trail you’ll also hike along the ruins of a tannery and see the old stone wall foundation.
Fresh snow fell last night and blue skies prevailed today and the river was in it’s winter finest. I’m not much for words so I’ll let my photos describe the river as it tumbles down the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.
Bridge on Spring Street, Colton, NY.
Over to the right and out of sight is the parking area at the northern trail head.
Looking upriver at the Colton hydroelectric dam.
Looking down river from the same spot.
Looking back toward the dam from a little further downstream.
Boulder turned Snowball
The river disappears as it dives under the ice.
This was only a stones throw down from the snow boulder. At this point I had to return to the path to work my way downstream.
Tannery Ruins
Here I’ve gone off the beaten path on my way to a ledge overlooking the river. From this perspective it’s much easier to see the old stonework than from the trail.
On the ledge brush and trees obstructed the camera’s view so I scrambled down to to the river.
Rocks in the shallow water became snowy pillows.
Here the river leveled out for a short distance where I followed the shoreline towards the next drop.
Waterfalls turned to icy cascades.
Looking down from a cliff made getting a good pic a little risky. I got as close to the edge as I dared. Here the river rushes through a narrow sluice that would make anyone looking down at it nervous. This is one of those spots on the Raquette that makes your legs shake in direct proportion to your proximity of the cliff’s edge.
I linked this image to a larger size. In it’s reduced state the details are hard to see.
Icy Waterfall
Another icy cascade from a level position way down river. Thank goodness for the zoom lens because there was no way to get any closer.
This is the photo I made desktop wallpaper for myself. Help yourself if you want to use it too. The large image is 1024 x 768
This is about a mile from the northern trail head with another 2 miles to the southern end at Brown’s Bridge. Unfortunately at this point I had run out of time and had to turn around and head home.
I’ll resize any of these photos on request. Let me know what size and I’ll post a link on my response to your comment.
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February 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Gorgeous photos. Hmmm…how long does it take you to get to your daughters? I’m think a road trip might be in order.
February 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I think these pictures could best be described as pastoral. They are so soothing.
February 21st, 2009 at 11:31 pm
so who snow is all going to be gone first I have about a foot and half in my yard.
Coffee is on.
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:05 pm
Yeah, I’m wishing for the snow to be gone myself, but the photos are beautiful. Make you appreciate the beauty of it even when your tired of the cold and mess it also brings. (inside and outside).
February 22nd, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Hi Silly, or Wiseacre, that little joke has gone on long enough.
The photos are breathtaking but you scared me being close to the edge and all. Do be careful trying to get closer, I know how harrowing that can be, even on dry terrain. The fluffy pillows with rock underneath are deceiving in their appearance, still they make me shiver.
Frances
February 22nd, 2009 at 6:21 pm
The river looks so beautiful in all its’ icy glory.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:59 am
What’s in these photos is what is the most beautiful about winter. This is the kind of winter I always hope to see. I took you up on your offer of wallpaper from the last photo. It’s like my ultimate fantasy of what a winter river should look like.
February 23rd, 2009 at 8:22 am
Burr! You have given me a new out look on NY. I need to blow some sun your way.
February 23rd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
I would have appreciated these photos so much more if we had not had another 12+ inches of heavy, wet stuff dumped on us last night! 90 inches and counting. When will this insanity end. This is so highly unusual for us here on the coast. I hope Al Gore chokes on his rubber chicken dinner during his next speaking engagement!!!!!
February 27th, 2009 at 11:43 am
John, these photos are glorious. You really go out of your way to show us the beauty of your region. Nothing beats sun on snow (at least at the moment), and those blues among the fluffy pillows are so bright and beautiful.
I’m laughing at Giddy’s Al Gore comment…and totally agree. Did you see their bumper sticker, “Help stop global whining”? I want one!
It’s a multi million dollar industry for those pushing it. And why would scientists want to give up all that grant money?