Twin Cascade is a 170-foot waterfall in Florida, Massachusetts, where Cascade Brook and an unnamed stream tumble down separate ravines and meet in a shared pool near the east portal of the Hoosac Tunnel in Berkshire County. The falls sit on private land above an active railroad.
The falls
The two streams form a Y-shaped pair of segmented steep cascades. Lidar analysis puts most of the height on the western, unnamed stream, which steps down more than 160 feet, while the eastern fall on Cascade Brook drops about 45 feet, perhaps 55 to 60 feet with its upper tiers. Below the confluence pool the water makes one last 6-foot drop. Other estimates give about 80 and 60 feet for the two falls; earlier surveys listed 50 feet.
Getting there
Twin Cascade is on private land, where respectful visitors have long been tolerated; there is no public park or official trail. The approach starts from a lot on River Road near the Hoosac Tunnel's east portal, runs along the railroad embankment and then climbs the south side of Cascade Brook. On a December 2023 visit a large landslide about 0.3 mile in had wiped out much of the trail, and the party turned back below the main falls. The tracks are in active use: stay off them, don't cross them and don't approach the tunnel.
When to go
Late April to November is the recommended season.
On site
Beyond the tracks the path is narrow, with a 5-foot rock wall to scramble and very steep ravine slopes below; the December 2023 party judged the route past the landslide too dangerous to continue. A lower fall of about 15 feet on Cascade Brook is visible before that point. Swimming is not possible or not allowed, and there is no wheelchair access.
History and name
The falls are also called Twin Falls, after the two streams that join at their base. The Hoosac Tunnel beside the approach dates from 1877.
Nearby
Tannery Falls is about 3.6 miles away and Parker Brook Falls about 3.7 miles. The Cascade on Notch Brook is about 6.6 miles away and Money Brook Falls about 8.6 miles.
Distances are straight-line.