Sheldon Falls

Area around Sheldon Falls


Views toward the Trapps

Sheldon Falls

Peters Kill just below Sheldon

Old power plant

The leaves are a changin


I failed in my previous trip to Sheldon Falls. This is a short off trail hike that I made longer and unsuccessful by hugging the east side of the Peters Kill. This time I tried following an open area that descended down a little bit to the east of the Peters Kill.

This proved to be the way. What a great, short and sweet walk this was. The descent followed gorgeous, white slabs of rock that neatly formed large steps. All of it Mother Nature's doing. Along the way, though, man's presence is felt. At the bottom of the falls there are ruins of an old power plant. Used to power the mountain houses around Minnewaska, its time came when Central Hudson took over in the 1950s. On the way down pipes can be seen which lead from the plant.

Despite this, Sheldon Falls makes for a short-on-time destination. The Falls and the plant make it a unique experience. The descent only enhances it. Further exploration will be required next time.