LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Silver Ripple Cascade
Maine • 30 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
Ownership is not confirmed and the land is most likely private woodland. There is no managing agency or maintained trail, so obey any postings.
Difficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.1 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
Elevation Gain
30 ft
About Silver Ripple Cascade
Silver Ripple Cascade, also called Devil's Den, is a series of cascades, horsetails and small plunges on Black Brook in Andover North Surplus, Oxford County, Maine, north of Andover. The brook drops about 30 feet in total through a narrow gorge and ends in a large pool. It is not in Baxter State Park and has no managing agency or maintained trail.
The Setting
Silver Ripple Cascade sits at 892 feet in the foothills of Maine. The falls drop 30 feet.
Height: 30 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Angel Falls (90 ft) lies 6.8 miles to the north. Also nearby: Screw Auger Falls (23 ft, 11.5 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
The Approach
The easy 0.1-mile out-and-back trail gains 30 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.
Trail Description
From the parking spot by the Black Brook bridge on Devil's Den Road, an informal path follows the brook downstream with the water on your right; the falls begin about 30 feet below the bridge. The walk is under 0.1 mile with about 30 feet of descent to the base, but footing near the lower falls is treacherous and a safe viewpoint is hard to find.
What to Expect
The falls drop 30 feet.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Silver Ripple Cascade?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
No managing agency or posted dog rule was found for this likely private land.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
Permit required
A parking reservation or day-use permit may be required for access to Baxter State Park. Check the park's official website for details.
🏊 Is There Swimming at Silver Ripple Cascade?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
May through October is the usual season. Flow is strongest in late spring and after heavy rain.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Footing near the end of the falls is treacherous; stay back from edges and do not climb the falls. Some visitors jump from ledges into the pools, which is dangerous; check depth and current before entering any pool, and never swim above a drop.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Ellis River, 6.4 miles away, not on Silver Ripple Cascade's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
64 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 45 years of record
5.07 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge Ellis River at South Andover, Maine (10 km away).
Today
Moderate
65 cfs
8/10Tomorrow
Moderate
76 cfs
6/10Fri
Moderate
70 cfs
6/10Sat
Moderate
68 cfs
6/10Sun
Moderate
72 cfs
8/10Mon
Moderate
73 cfs
9/10Tue
Moderate
73 cfs
9/10Best window: Mon — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 9/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late March to early June, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Bethel hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Silver Ripple Cascade Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Silver Ripple Cascade is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 45°F to 37°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 67 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Maine.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
1-meter lidar shows the creek losing roughly 61 feet through Silver Ripple Cascade over a long run of ledges. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 30 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 892 feet.
The ground changes about 52 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 44 feet in the 500 feet below. The falls face south and sit in full sun for most of the day, best photographed early or late.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 892 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 61 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- South
- Sunlit most of the day. Go early or late for softer light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading south).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
From the junction of ME 120 and ME 5 in Andover, take ME 120 east 0.6 mile and turn left onto South Arm Road after crossing the Ellis River. Follow South Arm Road north 2.5 miles, turn left at a fork and continue northwest 2.1 miles, then turn left onto an unmarked dirt road (Devil's Den Road) and drive 0.1 mile east to the bridge over Black Brook.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Roadside parking only, on the right side of Devil's Den Road just before the bridge over Black Brook.
Elevation
892 feet above sea level
Coordinates
44.686449° N, -70.740070° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear shoes with good grip, since the rock in the gorge is wet and uneven. If you plan to swim, scout the pool first and stay out in high water.
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For this easy 0.1 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.
Columbia Watertight II Rain Jacket
Packs into its own pocket, seam-sealed, and keeps you dry from spray and surprise rain.
Earth Pak Waterproof Dry Bag
Keeps your phone and gear dry when waterfall mist soaks everything else.
Waterproof Phone Pouch (AiRunTech)
Cheap insurance — take photos right next to the falls without killing your phone.
Polarized Sunglasses (Knockaround)
Cuts glare off the water so you actually see the falls — and your photos turn out better too.
Osprey Daylite Daypack
Light, organized, and just the right size for a day hike — fits water, snacks, and layers.
OR Sombriolet Sun Hat
UPF 50+ sun protection with vents so your head doesn't cook on exposed trail sections.
Where to Stay
Rangeley Saddleback Inn
Charming Home Near Ski Areas
Rangeley Lake Resort a Ramada by Wyndham
Jordan Hotel
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
Some links are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additional Information
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including moose, deer, and birds. Visitors should be cautious and respectful of wildlife.
Nearby Waterfalls
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