Backwoods Blog

SOUTH BROOK FALLS

Backwoods Blog;

in the woods and on the road…

Overview South Brook Falls

One of our area’s best short hike destinations (and relatively unknown) is South Brook Falls in Monticello. It’s actually located in T8 R3 WELS, just west of the town, half-way between Harvey Siding and St. Croix Lake. There is nothing quite like the experience of traveling in the North Maine Woods in unorganized territory on a narrow logging road (you don’t see many tourists). Years ago, before gps and travel apps, the only way to navigate the unmarked road system was to have a good Delorme Maine Atlas & Gazetteer. And since the logging roads changed so often, the latest edition DeLorme was always best. You could tell if someone really knew the State of Maine by asking them about a certain location and they’d reply using a “grid-number” from the Gazetteer by memory. 

South Brook Falls is a fourteen mile round trip starting at the old B&A railroad crossing at Harvey Siding (ITS 83). You will see mile marker #22 at Harvey Siding and continue west on St. Croix Road for seven miles. At mile marker #15 you will find a small parking lot on left at the bottom of the hill. The trail is on the left and follows the brook downstream for a casual 5 minute hike. You can hear the waterfall almost immediately, so you know you’re heading the right direction. Follow the blaze orange markers and you will soon arrive at the falls. They are a modest set of falls, but one of the few you will find on the north branch Meduxnekeag River system. The grounds surrounding the falls are small, but multi-leveled, well landscaped and will induce you to sit by the falls for an extended stay. The continuous roar of moving water inundates the space and clears the head. Do not rush…When I was there earlier this week the temperature was 24 degrees with 7mph wind speeds, adequate for flying the drone (see last week’s blog post for UAV flying app specifications). Even though flying conditions this time of year are hard on the drone’s battery and chilling to glove-less hands, it does open up shots with leaves being off the trees. I also noticed a purple marking tape wrapped around one of the trees at the campsite with the words “espace unique area.” I had never seen that designation before and didn’t find anything about it online. If anyone has information on it please leave a comment below. If you have hiked the South Brook Falls trail I’d like to hear about that too. Happy trails everyone!

In the woods,

Dave

November 15, 2023

Overview South Brook Falls .2

Overview South Brook Falls .3

South Brook Falls campsite

St. Croix logging road (looking east)

Yellow Marker at South Brook Falls