It's time to get into hiking shape so I took one of my favorite "easy" hikes. Mills Norrie State Park has a small trail network that takes you along the Hudson River. It's a special property because the railroad runs inland leaving a natural shoreline. I chose to take the blue (inland) trail first and return on the white (river) trail.
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| The Route |
The highlight of the property is the Victorian era Mills mansion with it's lawn stretching out to the river.
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| Mill's Mansion |
The park has many outbuildings that are in a state of decay. On this partly cloudy day, they seemed very eerie indeed. To add to the gloomy quality of the run down buildings was this monument to the memory of Gordon Lewis Norrie. Norrie was a Princeton Polo and Hockey champion when he met his death in a late night auto accident near Asbury Park New Jersey.
What happened in that merry all night party that brought almost instant death to Norrie, the Princeton Polo Star, and nearly killed Multi-millionaire Ryan's Young Granddaughter.
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| Gordon Lewis Norrie Memorial |
A lot of work has been done in the park since my last hike here. I was especially impressed to see that the Environmental Center at the south end of the park had been painted and the boardwalk around the building restored.
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| View from Environmental Center |
The white trail had also received a facelift. Erosion control, stone steps and benches had been installed in many locations. The trail had been relocated to go around the old pump house, but I took a peak inside to see the remaining machinery.
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| Pump House |
Overall this is a great hike with a combination of history, ruins and great Hudson Views. My GPS recorded 5.5 miles for the round trip, but I didn't start it until I reached the boat house below the Mill Mansion. I would add a couple tenths of a mile to the total. The elevation gain and decent is minimal. Mills Norrie State Park is a Dutchess County gem!
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| Northern View |
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