Meshomasic State Forest, created in 1903, is known as being the first official state forest in Connecticut. The forest is also known to hold a healthy population of timber rattlesnakes, although we have never seen one ourselves. What it is not known for, however, is for The Cascade, a heavily seasonal 15-foot horsetail that is one of the least visited waterfalls in the state. There is an excellent chance you will be the falls’ only visitor for the day. Water slides gently over a near-vertical wall into an inches-deep pool at this petite waterfall. A strong possibility exists that the brook will be completely dry unless recent rains have occurred; for that reason, we recommend visiting immediately after a prolonged series of April or May showers. Then again, since it is a horsetail, it will not take much water to create a dramatic effect and visiting more than once will help you decide as to which season is your favorite.

The trail actually starts in front of the parking area, so do not cross the road. Begin the hike by heading north into the woods where you will reach a fork only 25 feet from your car. Fork right and begin a short climb while following trees marked with blue-blazes. These blue-blazes will guide you all the way to the falls and back. There are several potentially confusing trail intersections to contend with behind this point, so pay close attention to the turns you will have to make on the way to the falls. Here is a description of the intersections: About 0.2 mile from the parking area, you will come to a T-intersection. Take a left and in 200 feet you will reach a fork. Take the right fork, which leads slightly uphill (the left fork would take you downhill). From here, it is 0.1 mile to another T-intersection. Take a left here and in 0.25 mile further you will reach another fork. Take a left here onto a narrower trail. From this point, it’s only another 0.25 mile to the falls, which are clearly visible from the trail. For the best view, find a safe spot above the falls to cross the brook and scramble down the opposite side of the river to the base of the falls.

Directions for this particular waterfall are not posted online. Please see directions in our published guidebook, New England Waterfalls: A Guide to More Than 400 Cascades And Waterfalls, or you can email us and we will happily provide them to you.

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