Race Brook
Falls is just over the
Connecticut border off of Route 41
in Sheffield, Massachusetts. It's
a beautiful waterfall that
actually has three tiers to it
although most people only see one
since they can't hike up the
steeper trails or don't realize
the falls goes up farther. It's
not a stretch to say that
"Hawaiian waterfall" comes to mind
when you visit Race Brook during
the summer months. With lush
greenery created by waterfall
mist, cascading water over rocks,
wading pools, and peaceful
surroundings, you can easily
imagine yourself in a remote
Hawaiian rain forest. There
couldn't be a nicer waterfall
anywhere. It's not a raging
torrent of water nor is it so
small that it doesn't impress (although
during drought like conditions
it's just a trickle of water).
Race Brook is a really neat spot
in the middle of a quiet forest.
There's something mystical about
all waterfalls and Race Brook is
no exception. In the wintertime,
this world turns into an ice
fantasy land with all types of
magical shapes and designs being
carved out and formed by Mother
Nature.
The hike up to Race Brook Falls
starts from the paved strip of
road that's right off of Route
41...almost has the feel of a tiny
rest area and not a trail head.
But the information sign with it's
large map of the surrounding areas
tips you off that this is a good
place to start some exploration.
After getting out of your car walk
over to the information sign and
bear to the left. You'll notice
the worn path amongst the bush and
trees that leads to Race Brook.
Follow the trail as you hop and
skip over some small streams and
out into some open space. Soon
you'll head straight into the
forest with it's thick canopy of
pine trees. The forest is quiet
here and sometimes quite dark due
to the large
concentration of trees.
Before heading off too far
into the hike just stop for a
moment...notice how quiet it
is.
Look around and try to notice
the wind blowing or a bird
doing its thing. Stuff like
that helps to recharge the
batteries of life. Some people
are so busy talking
a-mile-a-minute or physically
pushing themselves, they never
experience certain aspects of
nature...and how those aspects
can actually help you in your
personal life, job related
stuff, whatever. Getting a
good workout or talking with
someone while hiking are great
reasons to hike. But don't
forget to experience the quiet
moments where you are just an
observer and noticing a very
different world from your
day-to-day routine.
After your zen-like moment is
interrupted by an airplane or
noisy bird!... proceed up the
trail, noticing the majestic
trees and how they have situated
themselves throughout this
region. (It's always interesting
to notice how the smaller trees
maneuver themselves to get
light.) A short distance into
the forest part of the hike
you'll come to a "fork in the
road". If you go left you'll
take a slightly longer hike to
the falls but it will take you
higher up the falls and allow
you to see more of it. If you go
straight, you'll eventually come
to the base of the falls and its
picturesque setting. Either way
you can't miss. They both have
their advantages and
disadvantages. Winding up higher
in the falls affords you some
nice overviews of the valley
below and interesting shots
looking down at the falls.
Heading straight for the base
and foregoing the more
challenging route will present a
more beautiful view of the
waterfall...that classic scene
of standing at the base of a
waterfall as the water cascades
down. A good way to decide which
route to take is to ask yourself
the following questions. Do I
want a good workout with some
nice views? Or do I want to
relax at the base of a waterfall
and take in the peaceful
surroundings?
Once you have arrived at the
falls you'll be glad you made
the hike in. If there's been a
recent rain, the water really
crashes down and creates quite a
scene. There are running streams
leading up to and away from the
falls. You can explore small
pools that allow you to wade in
and cool off, or stand and let
the waterfall splash down on
you. There's just something nice
about this spot. You could
explore it all day really. If
you do climb along or around the
actual waterfall, please be
extremely careful as the rocks
are slippery and the power of
the water can be deceiving.
Don't get to close to sections
where the water really rushes
through or over. Just
chill out somewhere and take it
all in. And bring a camera as
you will likely want to take
some snapshots!
You can also incorporate Mt.
Everett into this
hike. You can do this two ways.
1) Hike back to your car and
drive up to the top of Mt.
Everett. Click here
for our description and
directions. 2) If you're feeling
ambitious and really want a high
octane workout, then consider
following the trail beyond the
top of Race Brook Falls and all
the way up to Mt. Everett peak.
Or hang a left onto the
Appalachian Trail and head south
to Race Mountain or Sages
Ravine area. Either
options are a serious hikes
and you must be in good shape to
do it. Don't attempt them if
you're already tired at the top
of Race Brook Falls. It could
take as long as 5-7 hours round
trip if you do this...although
someone in really good shape
could do it in 3 hours or less.
If you can do it, the hike up to
Everett is a great one. Besides
the obvious highlights of the
waterfall, you'll walk
along the river that feeds
Race Brook Falls
and into some deep forest
cover. (campsites
are available to backpackers
at various points along the
trail) The trail then rises
sharply as it meets the
mountainside of Mt.
Everett...the terrain is
challenging as it becomes
more rocky and takes on an
almost alpine appearance. As
you approach the top of
Everett, the trees and
bushes grow smaller (as if
stunted) due to the harsh
elements created on Mt.
Everett. It's always
surprising how it can
sometimes get chilly on top
of Everett even in the
middle of a summer day. So
bring a jacket just in case.
The views from Mt. Everett
are unbelievable on a clear
day. New York, Connecticut,
and Massachusetts are
clearly in view as well as
certain peaks in New
Hamphshire and Vermont. The
only disappointing thing
about Everett is the old
fire tower has been torn
down. It's too bad really as
this would be a fantastic
360 degree viewing point and
would allow folks to see the
Catskill Mountains in New
York, the Berkshire
Mountains of
Connecticut/Massachusetts,
Green Mountains of Vermont,
and Monadnock region of New
Hampshire, all in one fell
swoop. Instead you have to
hike all over the
mountaintop of Everett to
take in these views
separately. Click here
for our description of Mt.
Everett.
Directions:
The entrance to
Race Brook Falls is a few
miles over the border of
Connecticut in Sheffield,
MA. From the center of
Salisbury take Route 41
north. Go over the border
and a few miles later on the
left side will be a paved
cutoff from Route 41. It
almost looks like a tiny
rest area. Park in here and
walk towards the woods and
information sign to access
the trail head. (If the
parking area is full, you
can park along Route 41 but
just make sure your car is
really off the road and on
the grass.)
Printable
version of the Race Brook
Falls page
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