Mossy Cascade

Mossy Cascade Brook rises on the shoulder of Hopkins Mountain in the Town of Keene, New York, and is home to 40-foot Mossy Cascade Falls. As the name suggests, Mossy Cascade Falls forms in a narrow gorge with moss-covered rocks and downed trees.

At 1.7 miles, the trail is relatively easy until it reaches the junction with the brook off the Hopkins Mountain Trail. The trail that followed the brook has been completely washed out. A rock-hop and scramble over the final 75 yards is necessary to reach the base of the falls.

Parking for the trail is located at roadside of Route 73, where there is a pull-off that can accommodate six or seven vehicles. The trail starts by crossing Crystal Brook, where you'll see a variety of wildflowers, and heads steadily uphill as it parallels the East Branch Ausable River. Hikers will come to a private road, which must be crossed to continue the trail. From this point the trail takes a more level approach following Mossy Cascade Brook.

The trail will lead hikers through the forest, where a variety of tree species including hemlock, yellow birch and fir will be seen. Along the brook, downed trees blanketed with moss crisscross the waterway.

As you come to the junction of trails for Mossy Cascade and Hopkins Mountain, the trail will lead steeply uphill to the mountain or to the left where the trail has been washed out. Extreme care must be used while navigating the brook due downed trees, debris from washouts and loose soil on each side of the glen’s slopes. A small 6-foot waterfall must also be scaled to reach the destination.

Hikers who do not wish to travel the gorge can catch a view of the falls from above by following the Hopkins Mountain Trail and going off-trail to the rim of the gorge.