Grand Falls by Karen Herold
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Location: Dead River Township, Somerset County
Description: A 40-foot waterfall on the Dead River, five miles below Flagstaff Lake
Activities: Gawking! Fishing at the pool and riffles below. Canoeing the flatwater from Long Falls Dam on Flagstaff Lake to a take-out above these falls, or skiing, hiking or mountain-biking to the falls on the trail next to the river. Snowmobiling on the trail from West Forks. Not recommended by me but done by some: whitewater kayaking over the falls.
Favorite Season(s) to Visit: Any time, though avoid black fly weeks
Why It’s Special: Maine’s gentle landscapes don’t prepare you for the height of these falls. In winter, the vapor from the falling water freezes on the rocks nearby and downstream, forming a white cathedral. In summer, the pounding and power of the water mesmerize.
Tips: The best way to visit is to look at the falls from above while crossing the Maine Huts and Trails bridge over the river. Then take the side trail on your right to a downstream vantage point high over the water. Spend a comfortable and well-fed overnight at Maine Huts and Trails’ Grand Falls Hut two miles away, enjoying the camaraderie of the staff and guests, the well-designed off-the-grid architecture of the lodge, the views of the mountains, and the background roar of the rapids.
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