Great 8 Challenge – Red Sandstone Trail in Hannawa Falls

Spring has sprung early this year and the sunshine and warmth of the last few days made me want to hit the road, cross the American border and explore a place I had never been to before. I decided to head to Hannawa Falls in upstate New York to hike the Red Sandstone Trail.

I didn’t choose this trail at random. I am trying, little by little, to complete the Great 8 Challenge hikes, a challenge designed to highlight lesser-known places in St. Lawrence County, the largest county in the entire state of New York. I find it an interesting way to explore this region which borders the beautiful Adirondack Mountains.

The Red Sandstone Trail is located south of the small town of Potsdam, along the Raquette River. It can be accessed in two locations: through its north entrance or through its south entrance. I decided to start my hike at its south entrance, and parked in the hamlet of Hannawa Falls, where I was greeted by the sound of rushing water.

Red Sandstone Trail – South Section

The Red Sandstone Trail is part of the Riverside Run category of the Great 8 Challenge, a category that highlights the county’s major rivers. This 11-kilometer (7-mile) trail runs along Raquette River and also serves as an interpretive trail, since there are a few interpretative signs (provided by the Adirondack Mountain Club) with information on the history of the local area and the river.

The trail begins near Hannawa Falls dam, built in 1900. At first, I heard the river more than I saw it, until a small detour to a promontory allowed me to observe the tumultuous rapids. The river was quite impressive at this location!

The trail continued along the Raquette River, offering several views of it. This is what I really liked about this hike: I had the impression that the river, sometimes calm, sometimes swift, accompanied me with each of my steps. And as the weather was nice, the blue of its waters made a beautiful contrast with the duller winter landscape.

I was also surprised to find that this trail was a bit steep in places. Nothing too challenging, but enough to stretch my legs (especially since I haven’t done any very physical hikes in the last few weeks). The trail has some ups and downs, and the forest floor is rocky in places. It is actually these rocks that give their name to the trail. The red sandstone found along the river was used in the construction of many buildings in the region, and continues to be quarried today.

After a good climb, the trail took me to the top of a hill, from which it was possible to see another dam (Sugar Island Dam) as well as the river. It was the perfect place to take a break!

After heading back down, I suddenly found myself following an aqueduct pipeline, which led me to a parking lot, and the second access point of the trail.

Red Sandstone Trail – North Section

Initially, I had told myself that maybe I would only hike the southern section of the trail (all in all, it’s not a short trail). But the day was so beautiful, and the hike so pleasant, that I decided I wanted to continue it.

The north section of the Red Sandstone Trail loops around Sugar Island. From the parking lot, a short staircase and a bridge allowed me to go over the pipeline. The trail then continues in a straight line along the pipeline. I think this is the first time I’ve hiked by a structure like this, which was a bit strange, but still cool.

The trail (and pipeline) eventually leads to the Sugar Island power plant (built in 1924). It is from this point that the loop begins. The Red Sandstone Trail follows the shore of the island and loops around it, but I actually lost the trail at that point, and instead followed a linear path built on an old railroad that runs directly through the centre of the island.

This section was a little less exciting, but it still took me eventually to the tip of the island, and the north end of the Red Sandstone Trail. At this location, there is a picnic table as well as a small dock. Beyond, the Raquette River continues its route to downtown Potsdam, and then on to the St. Lawrence River, a few miles away.

After another short break, I started heading back south. I got back on the Red Sandstone Trail, and followed it along the shore of Sugar Island, eventually returning to the power plant. Then I retraced my steps along the pipeline, up the hill and along the steep bank of the Raquette River. When I started hearing the roar of the rapids near Hannawa Falls again, I knew I was almost back to my starting point.

In total, this hike totaled 11.5 kilometres (7.2 miles), with an elevation gain of 175 metres (574 feet). This was probably the most physical Great 8 hike I’ve done so far, but I think it was also the one I enjoyed the most! It makes me look forward to the next ones even more!

Other Great 8 Challenge hikes done so far:

Riverside Run:
Southville State Forest

Nature Nuts:
Robert Moses State Park
Wilson Hill Wildlife Management Area
Indian Creek Nature Center
Abbe Picquet Trail in Ogdensburg
Lost Pond Trail in Cranberry Lake