Happy Trails
The Happy Trails area was donated by Sandy Gray and Jennifer Beck and includes the Upper Cascades, the old Mason Mill and sluiceway, and parts of the former Whittaker Farm. The trails were built by Michael Piernas, Belinda Piernas, Joshua Coates, Rylee Coates, and Dylan Cannon. Although the area is only about 12 acres, it contains some of the most scenic sections of Mason Brook and preserves important parts of the area's natural and historical heritage.
The trail system is a short distance from the center of town along Old Ashby Road. The system consists of 12 acres of land and was the site of an old water-powered mill and spillway both of which can be seen from one of the trails in the trail system.
This trail system consists of the following trails:
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The Upper Cascades Trail (North and South): this trail, marked in orange, connects Cascade Road with Old Mill Road. It crosses the mason brook at the upper cascades, before following the brook. (Note the crossing is only passable with low water and no ice or snow.)
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Sandy's Shortcut: this trail, marked in white, follows an old road that was part of the Whittaker farm. It creates a short loop with the Upper Cascades Trail. It ends at old quarried stones, and passes a vernal pool.
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The Mill Trail (Mill Wheel Run): this very short trail, marked in dark blue, passes the ruins of the Old Mason Mill, the walls which would have held the old mill pond before it was washed away. This trail leaves the Upper Cascades Trail and re-connects at the brook crossing.
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The Happy Trail: This trail, marked in light blue offed a loop between the north upper cascade trail with old mill road. It follows a steep ledge above Mason brook, offering views of the upper cascades and Mason brook.
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Old Mill Road: Class VI road, connects Cascade and Old Ashby Roads​
PARKING:
Parking is along Old Ashby Road, on the left, just before Prospect Hill Cemetery if you are coming from the center of town.