| Directions
The hamlet of Hannawa Falls is just south of Potsdam
on NY 56. After you enter the village, you will traverse
a bridge over the Raquette River. Immediately after
the bridge, take a right on Mill Street. There will
be a parking area for a river access site on the right.
|
| County: |
St. Lawrence |
| Town: |
Potsdam |
| USGS Map: |
Colton |
| Waterway: |
Raquette
River |
| Latitude: |
N
44° 36' 43" |
| Longitude: |
W
74° 58' 31" |
| Drop: |
20' |
| Type: |
Rapids |
| Region: |
South
of Potsdam |
| Parking: |
Unpaved
lot |
| Trail
type: |
Dirt |
| Length
of hike: |
15
minutes |
| Difficulty: |
Easy |
| Accessibility: |
Public |
| Name: |
Common |
|
The hamlet of Hannawa Falls
got its name from the waterfall there. Back in the 1950s,
the Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation constructed several dams in
this area. Like many other similar communities, the waterfall
isn't what it used to be. Below the dam, there are a couple
of small waterfalls and a stretch of several hundred yards of some
fairly serious rapids.
There is a parking area here but it is a tight fit for three
vehicles. Given the proximity of this area to two local colleges
and the very popular hiking trail system, you may end up parking
on the shoulder of the road. That is not a problem because
the traffic on this side road is not excessive. There is a
parking lot across the road from this site behind the local fire
department. Signs at the trailhead caution hikers to not use
this parking area. In the event of an emergency, cars there
might impede fire-fighting or other rescue or emergency efforts.
This area is the southern trailhead for the Red Sandstone Trail.
Named for the rock indigenous to this area, this trail
is a 3.5 mile loop along the Raquette River. The Brookfield
Power Company operates the Hannawa Falls Dam, which is within site
of the parking area, and powerhouse, which is just downstream, and
the Sugar Island Dam and Powerhouse, which are further downstream.
Another parking area is available about half-way down the trail.
This trail is several feet above the level of the river.
There is also a trail from the parking area labeled "whitewater
access". This leads to the river at the base of the dam.
Only serious kayakers need apply. This is not a section you
will want to do with the kids in the family canoe.
The Raquette River empties into the St. Lawrence River in Massena,
New York.
Last update: July 25, 2016
|
