Home ⎜ Travelogues ⎜ Ruins ⎜ Minnewaska Hydro-Electric Powerhouse

The ruins of Minneswaska’s Hydroelectric power house date back to the 1920s and are part of the “Peters Kill Falls, Sheldon Falls + Awosting Falls” excursion listed on this site.  The ruins are easily accessible (steps away) from the main road that runs through Minnewaska State Park, though there is no parking nearby, which then turns this into quite a beautiful hike. The closest parking to view the ruins is from the Lower Awosting Parking Area, and requires about a 15 minute walk, passing Awosting Falls (usually rampant with tourists) and then crossing Route 44/55 and immediately heading downhill into the woods through a tunnel of brush and canopy. The stone ruins themselves stand directly across from Sheldon Falls, a magnificent waterfall surrounded in smooth and slippery rock slabs. The Power Station supplied electric power to the Mountain Houses of Minnewaska from the 1920’s-1940’s, until they were phased out by Minnewaska’s new connection to the city grid. Down below the main road, standing between the falls and the ruins, I feel as if I’m in a forest-room all my own. “Gimme Shelter” drifts in and out of my head as I look around in awe at what seems like an enclosed courtyard before me. The stone slabs of Sheldon Falls descend gracefully, giving an amphitheater-like feel to the spot. Stepping into the power house is a step back in time. The turbines and other curious contraptions within are adorned in vibrant local art / graffiti, which adds funkiness to the feel of this place.  The forest has overtaken the ruins, with trees growing out of the stone foundations, and canopies of leaves create a veritable ceiling to what’s left of the abandoned house. Though a few feet from roadway, here you’ll only hear the roar of Sheldon Falls, the crackling of leaves underfoot and the whisper of a stream that leads downhill (East) along what I like to call “Waterfall Run.” This is a wonderful area to take the time to explore, as there is much to be uncovered. Completing the full hike is especially delicious on one of those hot, muggy NY summer days when you can take a cool dip in the falls at any point along your journey! Once you depart from the power house and continue to follow the falls downhill, you’ll find a trail opens up almost immediately and it’s very
difficult to get lost, as you’re walking along the cascades much of the time. If you choose to explore off-trail, and happen to lose your way, listen for the sounds of the falls and follow them back to the trail. When finished with your explore, continue back to the ruins, complete the 30 foot bushwack to the road, cross and almost immediately you’ll find yourself on the Awosting Falls Trail leading back to the parking area. I personally enjoy completing the full hike as you’ll see much varied terrain – including distinctive views of the Shawangunk mountain ridges from High Peters Kill Trail’s striking white rock cliffs characteristic to this area.