Houston Brook Falls, Bingham

Houston Brook Falls makes for lovely photos in the fall, when it’s framed by colorful leaves, but it also must make for great swimming in the summer The falls are high (40 feet or so), the pools are deep, the rocks seem to be perfectly placed for kids to jump from pool to pool above the big falls. Below the falls, the stream enters Wyman Lake. The .2-mile trail is easy, but does head downhill and has many exposed roots.

I climbed a little way above the falls, and the pools and small cascades seemed to go on and on. Since it was getting dark, we turned around without exploring too far.

Directions: From Route 201 in Bingham, turn onto Route 16 and cross the bridge over Kennebec River. Turn right immediately after crossing the bridge, onto Pleasant Ridge Road. Go 3.5 miles to the transfer station. The trail will be on the right side of the road, immediately after the transfer station. It has a sign. You can park in front of the transfer station fence, I think. The trail has a sign at the trailhead. The rest of the way is not marked, but it is well worn and you can just follow the hill down to the stream and then to the falls. On the return, you want to stick close to the stream before veering left and back up to the road.