The 90-foot waterfall is one of the highest in Maine. And the view from the overlooks were really good.
But I wanted to make the very steep scramble down to the base. Fortunately, there were a lot of roots to hold on to climbing down. Down at the creek, I rock-hopped up to the base of the lower drops.
There were two scenic drops below the mains falls that weren't visible from above. I climbed up the rocks past the drops to the big pool at the base of the waterfalls. There were a bunch of kids swimming here, so I didn't linger.
It was a very steep climb back up to Sandy and Alex. We enjoyed the view from above a little longer then headed back to the car.
Heading back south on US-201, we got off the highway in Bingham and drove to the trailhead for Hatch Brook Falls. A short trail led down to the base of the waterfall.
The water level was low, but it was a nice waterfall and very scenic spot.
With the low water, we could climb around in the creek bed.
After a few pictures, we headed back up.
We continued south and west towards New Hampshire, with our next stop at Step Falls Preserve. The short Step Falls Trail led through the woods to Wight Brook.
In about a half-mile, we reached the lowest part of Step Falls.
It was a pretty popular spot, not surprising given the many great swimholes along the waterfall. The water was low enough I could walk all around with getting wet.
The trail climbed steeply a little further up to the end of the preserve marked by fencing and posted signs.
The view from the top was really nice.
After some pictures, we headed back down.
We had a couple more quick stops to make before leaving Maine. It was just another mile and a half up the road to the Screw Augur Falls parking area at Grafton Notch State Park. A very short trail led to Bear River above the gorge.
Just past here, we got a view of Screw Augur Falls.
The afternoon lighting wasn't great, but the gorge full of potholes was really beautiful.
We got a few pictures then continued on to the next parking area. A short trail led to Mother Walker Falls.
It's not really a waterfall, but a series of small drops through a gorge, which was very scenic.
Then we made on more stop for Moose Cave. Hiking the trail counterclockwise, we first came to the Moss Garden, an open rock area with a ton of reindeer lichen growing.
The trail then led to another narrow gorge on Bear River.
Moose Cave was formed in the cave from the fracturing of the rock.
On the hike back, we saw some elderberries.
We finished our last hike of the day and started making our way to New Hampshire.
We got a quick dinner and checked into the Quality Inn in Gorham.
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