Cascade, The

The Cascade is found just outside of downtown North Adams. From the junction of Route 2 and 8A in North Adams, drive west on Route 2 for just over one mile then turn left (south) onto Marion Avenue and follow it to its end. The trail begins adjacent to several homes and there is limited public parking, so be sure to not park in or obstruct an adjacent driveway. The trail leads to the base of the falls in about two-thirds of a mile.The Cascade is a rather significant waterfall found tucked in a deep gorge just outside of North Adams on the north shoulder of Mount Greylock. Notch Brook sprays down an attractive 48-foot tall horsetail style fall into a narrow alcove, then flows across slabby bedrock cascades for several dozen yards further before exiting the glen and resuming a more placid course. Depending on the level of water present in Notch Brook the falls will take on a dramatically different form. When we surveyed the falls in October 2008 the stream was not running forcefully, so the water assumed a course in which it makes a sharp zigzag halfway down the fall, giving it the appearance of having two distinct tiers (this is not actually the case). However visiting the falls during the spring or after prolonged rainfall, the stream will assume a much broader veil-style appearance as it covers essentially the entire cliff. Notch Brook is dammed further upstream to create the Notch Brook Reservoir (probably water supply) and in result will be reduced from its natural volume during certain periods of the year. The best times to visit the falls will be during the spring freshet and in the later autumn months when rain is consistently in the forecast.The falls have also been known as Notch Brook Cascade and The Notch Cascade, though both names date well into the past and are seldom used in the present day. The USGS officially recognizes the falls as The Cascade.