Posted on July 31, 2017 and last updated on March 26, 2021

Cascade Stream Gorge, Sandy River Plantation

QUICK TRAIL FACTS

  • Preserve Size: 50 acres
  • Trail Mileage: 1/2 mile one-way
  • Pets: yes
  • Difficulty: hard
  • Sights: falls, pools

While the trail at this Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust preserve is short, it is quite steep and feels at time a little bit perilous, especially if wet. But it’s well worth it for the chance to walk the roughly half mile up this dramatic stream and its falls. There are a few pools that look enticingly swimmable, although I imagine quite 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 from here 7.2 miles to Saddleback Mountain, 17.2 miles to Reeds Trail head in Madrid, and 24.6 miles to the town of Phillips trail head. 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.

Let me know if you have any trail updates or corrections!