About this spot
A small, little-known waterfall on Shepard Brook in Hamden, reached via a short 0.1-mile path off Shepard Avenue near Timberwood Trail, adjacent to the town Public Works garage; roadside parking only. The land is town-owned, with the trail maintained by the Hamden Land Conservation Trust. The falls form where erosion-resistant basalt crosses softer sandstone. It's documented by a couple of local hiking blogs and a short video tour, but there's no evidence of a swimming or jumping tradition here, and flow is best only after rain or snowmelt.
Safety first. Cliff jumping is inherently dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. Conditions — water depth, submerged hazards, and access — change constantly. CliffScout is community-sourced reference information, not a guarantee a spot is safe. Always assess the conditions yourself before jumping, and never jump where you're unsure. You assume all risk.