Cascade Stream Gorge, Sandy River Plantation

While the trail at this Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust preserve is short, it is quite steep and feels at time a little perilous, especially if wet. But it’s well worth it for the chance to ascend the roughly half mile up this dramatic stream and its falls. There are a few pools that look swimmable, although I imagine very cold! One leg of the trail ends at a lookout over the stream. You can pick up the rest of the path by turning inland, away from the stream, and scrambling over some rocks (there’s a little path here). Note: I couldn’t find this inland path in October, 2020. 

This trail also connects to the long-distance, multi-use Fly Rod Crosby Trail, so if you’d like, you can hike 7.2 miles from here to Saddleback Mountain, 17.2 miles to Reeds Trail head in Madrid, or 24.6 miles to the town of Phillips. I’ve drawn some of this trail in black on my map.

Directions: From downtown Rangeley, drive south on Rt. 4 to the intersection of South Shore Drive and Town Hall Road, where you take take a left. Drive 100 yards, bare left, and then immediately on your right will be the entrance sign for the trail head. Drive up the steep gravel drive to the parking area. For those who don’t think their low-clearance cars can make it, there is a narrow place to pullover for one car on the street below.