Beginning in the historic village of Foster Falls, David Memory led this PHOC outing upriver along the New River to Fries Junction and back.
Curiosity overcame me when I saw the name of the road on which we entered the park, Orphanage Road. At the Foster Falls parking area is a very nice restored train station. Just up the hill is a brick structure which looks as if it might have been a hotel years ago. I thought that made sense but after some research I learned it not only was a hotel but served its later years as an orphanage.
Also on the State Park property is an old pig iron furnace, saw and grist mill and nearby a shot tower used to make lead bullets.
So next trip to this parking area requires a little history walk.
Traveling upriver, the first couple miles have the New River on your right and sizable cliffs on your left. Look closely through here to see Columbine, Bellwort and Squirrel Corn. After the first road crossing we pass the site of an old lead mine which appears landscaped like a golf course now. Attempts to mitigate soil contamination left it looking manicured.
Further along our journey, we cross the Ivanhoe Bridge with its spectacular view of river and countryside, two dams and a small village. It was in this area we saw the result of last night's storm. A downed white pine blocked the trail and a washed out spot will need repair.
After a leisurely lunch break at Fries Junction, we retraced our route back to Foster Falls.
