A hike in the Hudson Highlands: Pt. 2

(Ruins part 1)

This is the next in a series of posts about a fairly short, but fascinating hike over and around Bull Hill (Mt. Taurus is a local name). The weather conditions were quite warm, around 50 degrees with moderate humidity. Snow was found on most surfaces, but it was rapidly melting away. Research continues on the nature of the ruins pictured here; the details will be provided with the final post. This post will share images of the upper ruins, located just below a reservoir and uphill from the mansion ruins. This property was once owned by Edward Cornish, Chairman of the National Lead Company. A trail passes through here, appropriately called the Cornish trail. More information on all this is pending, please return for parts 3 and 4.

This is a reservoir that marks the top of the ruins, found upon arrival from the downhill hike returning from the gentle flank of Bull Hill.  The water appeared generally stagnant, with some significant odor and a highly anoxic ecosystem.  The walls show a fuzzy covering of some colonial sessile organisms that are probably protozoans.  Depth unknown; certainly more than 5 feet.  This might be a nice destination during the summer, perhaps some free diving?

This structure appears to be fairly new; probably only a few decades old.  The structure shows that there was at least one floor above the current roof, which is sturdy enough to stand on with some care.  Moss and plants grown around and on the remaining ruins, but inside it is simply too dark for any significant botanical life.  No mammals were observed within, but one bird nest was found to be abandoned.  

The building is very dark, damp, and cold.

Several decades worth of rain, hundreds of storms, have begun to grow stalactites...

And Stalagmites.

Please note that these images utilize a camera flash.  These two images show how the interior spaces look to the unaided eye.  Small windows provide some light.

A more handsome building (that still falls short of the mansion proper) is found nearby.  A very charming, and overgrown, courtyard has been formed inside.  The DBH of the single largest tree within (blown down with thousands of others in some recent storm or several storms) suggests 30 years since the roof was destroyed.  The history will show how accurate this estimate may be.

Interesting cisterns, wells, and silos can be found on the property.  Not pictured are the countless little artifacts scattered on the grounds.  Is it ironic that there were several pieces of lead?  Shards of glass are the ubiquitous.  In centuries, only the stones, glass, and some metals will be here.  On the scale of millenia, ruins will become cracked and scattered across the countryside.  How long will it take for the entire mansion to be consumed by the Hudson?  Please return for the next two posts.