When you travel westbound on Interstate 64 and cross the
Rivanna River near Charlottesville, look to the right, if you dare. The river
vista is quite beautiful, but you probably couldn’t help but also note the
tall, ornately decorated smokestack astride the railroad track. I had always
assumed it was part of the Woolen Mills complex. No, it is the C and A Railway power station,
built in 1914. Charlottesville first power plant was DC. This replacement
provided alternating current.
I decided this would be an appropriate target for my drone.
But how to get there. It used to be the only way to get to this side of the
river was to float, or cross the railroad trestle at the end of Market Street
in the Woolen Mills neighborhood.
But now, thanks to the Rivanna Trails Foundation( http://www.rivannatrails.org/) there is another way. The Quarry Park to the
Woolen Mills trail is not the prettiest, or quietest of the Rivanna trail
system. But it will get you to the other side of the Rivanna legally, without
using a boat. It is 1.64 miles one way. RTF describes it as difficult; I agree.
Park at Quarry Park. From there, cross Moores creek on the
sturdy pedestrian bridge.
The trail continues under the bridge over Monticello Avenue, where an unsavory but uninhabited hobo camp exists.
Sandwiched between Interstate 64 and Moores Creek , the frequently narrow and rocky trail makes its way to the Rivanna River. There is one small ford on rocks over a creek. The noisy interstate on the right is soon replaced by Charlottesville’s sewage treatment plant complex, providing another sensory experience. Here the trail widens.
Pause to marvel at a city’s sewage roaring into this gentle creek.
As you approach Moores confluence of the Rivanna River, look to your left at the old Woolen Mills complex. Take note of the bricked in windows below grade aside the creek.
You can see my drone footage of the chimney from above. I
need more practice.
I think a winter trip here, shoehorned with a trip down the river bank would be
photographically more rewarding.
Just downriver from here is evidence of the old bateau tow
path. You can still see where slaves laboriously pounded drill holes to blast a
path through the greenstone. And strangely, you are now at the base of
Monticello mountain. Jefferson’s house is less than one half a mile walk away.
You can read about my trip to Monticello, the back way, here.
Wick Hunt
Photo credits:
Wick Hunt
Electric Railway Journal Vol 44 No. 16
Holsinger Studio Collection
