Early Summer Waterfall Hikes
With the high country socked in with snow until who-knows-when, we thought we'd suggest some waterfall hikes that are accessible most of the year but are most impressive as the snow in the mountains starts to melt.
In Washington's deep and gloomy woods (and also in its arid, rolling hills), you'll find an abundance of falling water, from subtle cascading streams to thundering falls that shake the stones to their foundations. In fact, our mountains—the Cascades—are named for the multitudes of falling waters you'll find here.
- The falls are a short walk in on the Boulder River hike and a great destination for families. Photo by 'Snoring Saints.'
One of the joys of waterfall viewing in the Northwest is that you'll always find at least one flowing any time of year. Some are perennial, falling year-round. Others are seasonal. Some stream from glaciers heating in the summer sun, some are fed by winter rains, and others course from melting snow packs in spring. Many can be reached by car, but the most rewarding are those requiring a hike—either a short wander through the woods, or a grueling multi-day backpacking pilgrimage.
With the high country socked in with snow until who-knows-when, we thought we'd suggest some waterfall hikes that area accessible most of the year but are most impressive as the snow in the mountains starts to melt. Check out our April 2006 Washington Trails article for more information on waterfalls and for additional suggestions for July and August waterfall hikes in Mt. Rainier National Park.
Boulder River
Location: Off Hwy 530 near Arlington
Distance: 2.5 to 9 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 850 ft gain to 1550 ft (less for waterfall)
Best Season: Spring - Fall
Maps: Green Trails 77 Oso
Details: This lovely trail into the Boulder River Wilderness is a great hike for kids, and has several notable waterfalls to offer. Most prominent is Feature Show Falls, a wedding-cake of a falls across the river from the trail just 1.5 miles in. It's at its peak flow in winter and spring.
Directions: From I-5 drive Highway 530 east to mile point 41. Turn right on the French Creek Road FS #2010. Follow this to the road's end at 3.8 miles and an ample parking area. Northwest Forest Pass required. NW Forest Pass required.
Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books)
Taylor River
Location: Middle Fork Snoqualmie River
Distance: 10 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 500 ft gain
Best Season: Spring - Fall
Maps: Green Trails 174 Mount Si, 175 Skykomish
Details: On this road-to-trail you'll find access to three unique waterfalls: Marten Creek, Otter Falls, and Big Creek Falls. The highlight is Otter Falls, a 600-foot slide of creek descending a huge granite slab into Lipsy Lake. A cairn at 4.5 miles marks a short spur trail to the lake and falls.
Directions: From Seattle, drive east on 1-90 to exit 34. Turn left (north) on 468th Street. At the MIddle Fork Snoqualmie Road (FR 56) turn right and go 12.5 miles to the Taylor River Road. Turn left and park at the trailhead about a half mile in. Northwest Forest Pass required.
Guidebook: Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region by Dan Nelson & Alan Bauer (Mountaineers Books)
Wallace Falls
Location: Off Hwy 2 near Gold Bar
- Lower Wallace Falls, pictured here, is arguably the most photographic; Middle Falls the most spectacular; and the Upper Falls the most lonely. Photo by 'ArashA'.
Distance: 5.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 1200 ft gain to 1600 ft
Best Season: Spring - Fall
Maps: Green Trails 142 Index
Details: This great foothills hike is fantastic for families—although it does gain 1,200 feet, so prepare the kids for some exercise. The three-tiered falls is one of the state's premier lowland falls (ranking with Snoqualmie and Palouse Falls) and is accessible most of the year. Middle Falls is the most scenic but the upper falls offers an interesting perspective and fewer crowds.
Directions: Take U.S. Hwy. 2 (Steven's Pass Highway) east 12 miles from Monroe to Gold Bar. Once in Gold Bar, follow the signs two miles northeast to the park.
Guidebook: 55 Hikes Around Stevens Pass by Rick McGuire & Ira Spring (Mountaineers Books)
Twin Falls State Park
Location: Near North Bend
Distance: 1.5 mi - 3.5 miles roundtrip
Elevation: 500' gain up to 1000'
Best Season: Usually accessible all year; the falls in spring is quite spectacular
Map: Green Trails Rattlesnake Mountain/Upper Snoqualmie Valley No. 205S
- Twin Falls, photo by Dr. JD Hascup.
Why Go: Twin Falls is a great year-round hike to a beautiful waterfall. With it's big pay-off at trail's end, Twin Falls is an ideal hike for small children. There are benches and a nice viewpoint of the falls at .75 mile, which is a good turn-around for smaller toddlers or if you opt to leave a backpack behind. But by hiking another mile (down and then up again), you will reach a sturdy bridge that crosses high over the water and between the two falls. Kids will be mesmerized by the waterfalls and the water all around them. Do note that this is a popular trail, and on weekends don't expect any solitude.
Directions: From Seattle, drive east on I-90 to exit 34. Turn south on 468th Ave SE and go 1/2 mile. Just before the bridge over the South Fork Snoqualmie River, turn left (east) on SE 159th Street and drive 1/2 mile to the trailhead parking lot.
Guidebook: Day Hiking Snoqualmie Region by Dan Nelson & Alan Bauer (Mountaineers Books)
Cedar Falls
Location: North Cascades Highway, east side
Distance: 3.5 miles round trip to falls; can extend to Abernathy Pass
Elevation: 500 ft gain to 3500 ft
Best Season: Late spring to late fall
Map: Green Trails Washington Pass #50
Details: Easily attained glory in the North Cascades! Cedar Falls is a two-tiered cascade that this year is bound to be raging most of the summer. The hike climbs gently to the falls while the creek below rages downstream loudly. While mostly in the trees, there are views of Goat Peak and pretty wildflowers to enjoy. For those wanting further exploration, an additional 7 miles will take you to the fabulous vistas from Abernathy Ridge.
Directions: From Winthrop drive State Route 20 west for 18 miles to Forest Service Road 5310-200 (about 0.5 miles east of the turn off for Klipchuck Campground). The trail begins near the gravel pit at the end of the road. Northwest Forest Pass required.
Guidebook: Day Hiking North Cascades by Craig Romano (Mountaineers Books)
- An easy and short hike takes you to Murhut Falls in the Olympics. Photo by Carey.
Murhut Falls
Location: East side, Olympic Peninsula
Distance: 1.6 miles round trip
Elevation: 300 ft gain to 1050 ft
Best Season: Usually accessible all year
Map: Green Trails The Brothers #168
Details: A short and easy trail to a plunging 130 foot waterfall makes this an excellent family destination. You'll enjoy the rhododendrons on the hike in and the powerful force of the waterfall as it pitches itself into a narrow ravine.
Directions: From Quilcene, drive south on Hwy 101 for 15 miles to milepost 310. At this point, turn west on the Duckabush Road (sign says Duckabush Recreation Area). Go 6.3 miles and bear right at the gravel road signed "Murhut Falls." At 1.3 miles is the trailhead. Park on the left.
Lower Falls Creek Falls
Location: Wind River Recreation Area in Mt. Adams Ranger District
Distance: 4 miles round trip
Elevation: 1300 – 2100 ft.
Best Season: Usually accessible all year
Map: Green Trails Wind River #397
- Lower Falls Creek Falls in the South Cascades' Wind River area is a wonderful year-round destination for the whole family. Photo by John Hultquist.
Details: A forest walk along Falls Creek gives way to a beautiful waterfall at 2 miles. The falls are most impressive in fall, winter and spring when rainfall and snow melt are at their peak. However, the summer months offer the most forgiving weather and biggest respite from the heat as the viewpoint is continuously sprayed with mist. There's a nice pool at the top of the falls - watch for beavers!
Directions: From I-5 or I-205 bridge drive east on Highway 14 out of Vancouver, WA to just past Mile Post 47 turning left (north) going toward Carson, WA. Continue north on the Wind River Road, approx 14.5 past the Stabler Country Store and the Carson National Fish Hatchery, making the first right turn staying on the Wind River Road for about .75 miles. Then turn right onto FSR 3062 and continue approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead at the end of the road.
Guidebook: Day Hiking South Cascades by Dan Nelson & Alan Bauer (Mountaineers Books)
Ancient Lakes
Location: near Quincy
- A waterfall in desert country? You bet! Photo by 'Galiwalker.'
Distance: 5 mi. roundtrip
Elevation: 100-200 ft.
Best Season: Early spring
Maps: USGS Babcock Ridge
Details: Waterfalls in the desert. Deep coulees. Small lakes and large lakes. Sagebrush. Wildflowers. A cacophony of bird songs. There are many reasons to visit Ancient Lakes in the Quincy Wildlife Recreation Area. Early spring is really the best time to view the waterfalls; by June they are drying up and the area becomes quite hot. Make sure to save time to explore the entire lake basin. This wetland area provides habitat for many species of birds and mammals.
Directions: From Ellensburg, drive east on I-90 to George (Exit 149). Turn left and drive on SR 281 to Quincy. In Quincy, turn left (west) on SR 28 and drive 4 miles to White Trail Road. Turn left and drive about 7 miles or so until you reach Road 9-NW and drive 5.9 miles to the road's end. You will need an annual permit from Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife permit to park here (this is different from the Northwest Forest Pass).
Guidebook: Best Desert Hikes Washington by Alan Bauer & Dan Nelson (Mountaineers Books).
