The Cataracts

The Cataracts is a series of waterfalls on Frye Brook in Mahoosuc Public Land near Andover, Maine.

Waterfall Details

• Type of waterfall: Lower falls is a plunge; middle falls is a horsetail; upper falls are cascades and horsetails
• Height: Lower falls are 12 feet; middle falls are 70 feet; upper falls are 20 feet
• Active season: May through October
• Trail difficulty: Easy
• Trail length: 0.8 miles roundtrip
• Leash rules: Must be on a leash

The trail takes you through heavily wooded areas with some wooden walkways to help when it's muddy. There are parts of the trail with steep drops to the brook below. Especially in spring, expect this trail to be loud with the sound of rushing water as you follow the brook during the entire hike.

The lower end of the falls drops 12 feet through a tight slot of rocks into a deep gorge. Deep is redefined at the middle falls, where the 70-foot horsetail swooshes down into the gorge. You'll be thankful the fence is in place here.

The upper end of the falls is the best chance you have for a summer swim.

Since this is Maine Public Land, you'll have to keep pets on a leash during the entire hike. Please pick up pet waste and carry it with your out of the property.

Waterfall Safety

The falls present very differently depending on the season and water flow. This video was shot on Christmas in 2020 during a time of flooding, and you can see how raging the water was. If you take this trail during Mud Season (March through mid-April), the trail is going to be very muddy and messy.

Plan for the trail and the rocks to be slippery at all times. You don't want to do this hike in regular tennis shoes. Bring hiking boots and water shoes if you plan to get in the water.

Despite the fence in some spots, there are plenty of areas where getting too close to the edge isn't fenced and could be disastrous. Don't even consider letting your dog off a leash here. It's not only banned, but it's downright dangerous. The trail isn't even as wide as a sidewalk in some parts and has a steep drop below.

With any accessible swimming area, you should be the judge of how safe the water is to enter. Even some of the best swimming holes could be blocked off by a robust drop of water from above.

Bring your own drinking water, and never drink from the brook. That goes for pets as well.

Plan for a lot of bugs when it's warm outside, and don't neglect to give your pet some bug prevention. A full-body scam for ticks should be the last thing you do at the trailhead before you leave.

Parking at Waterfall

From Rumford Point, start at the crossroads of US 2 and ME 5. Take ME 5 north for 10.9 miles, then go left on Upton Road. You'll go another 5.4 miles before you see the gravel parking area to the right. Parking is free. You'll see the trailhead across the street with an immediate uphill climb to start.

Waterfall Dog-Friendly Rating: B