A visit to Cascade Falls will take you into the Pigeon Lake Wilderness Area, with the option of doing a loop around the lake or just an out-and-back.
Lake Cascade Camp, a girls camp, once stood on the northern shore of Cascade lake. It was built in the 1930s and was used until the mid-1940s. Close inspection along the path may revel remnants of the old camp. The primitive campsites along the north shore mark where the camp once stood. You'll even follow follow the old route to the camp around the lake: much of the trail follows the old road and is a wide path.
Key takeaways
- Distance: 5.8 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 485 feet
- Hike includes trail junctions and bridges
Hiking the Cascade Lake Loop
The trail starts out following the course of Big Moose Road and quickly comes to the old trail, which started slightly further back up the road. At roughly 1.1 mile there's a split in the trail — this is the Cascade Pond Loop. Either direction works fine, but described below is a counter-clockwise loop.
The southern portion of the loop never approaches the lake very closely, but it is close enough to see through the trees. There are multiple bridges along the trail to avoid wet areas. You will cross four bridges over these wet areas before you reach the waterfall around 3.0 miles. A side trail leads 100 feet to the base of the falls. Please be careful if approaching; the area around the falls may be slippery. The falls themselves are nearly vertical, and are around 40 feet tall. Since this feature is about half way through the hiking loop, it makes for a good place to rest.
Once past the falls, the trail climbs to higher ground. The trail does approach the water's edge on a few occasions on the northern trail, which leads through the site of an old girls camp. Around 3.6 miles is where you will find the remnants of the camp. The trail eventually comes back to the intersection at 1.1 miles from the trailhead, where you will follow the same path you came in on before returning to your vehicle.
Cascade Lake Loop in the winter
This would make a good snowshoe or crosscountry ski, and the trailhead is plowed and accessible in the winter. Please take care at the area around the falls, as it could be icy. Bring traction devices, and be prepared for winter conditions.
Experience more trails in Hamilton County
Looking to find some more trails to hike in Hamilton County? With hundreds of miles of trails, we can help you find more amazing hikes in the big outdoors.
Fishing
Cascade Lake offers four or five well-hidden locations to fish trophy bass along the footpath surrounding the shore. With a bit of determination you can find the perfect spot for bobber and worm casting.
Birding
It also offers bird watching of species that include warblers, Hermit Thrush, Wood Pewee, Winter Wren, Barred Owl, Broad-winged Hawk, and Hairy, Downy and Pileated woodpeckers.
How to get there
From Inlet, follow Route 28 toward Eagle Bay. Here, turn right onto Big Moose Road. Follow Big Moose Road for just about 1 mile to the large trailhead parking on the right.
