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Horseshoe and Chinook Creek Falls via Upper Siouxon Creek

South Cascades > Dark Divide
45.9466, -122.1773 Map & Directions
Length
8.4 miles, roundtrip
Elevation Gain
700 feet
Highest Point
1,570 feet
Calculated Difficulty About Calculated Difficulty
Moderate

The North Fork Siouxon trail is closed for wildfire

  • Wildlife
  • Rivers
  • Waterfalls

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass
Saved to My Backpack

This excellent early-season romp heads up a lush river canyon boasting three gorgeous waterfalls with riverside campsites for an overnight, or a longer, more challenging loop. Continue reading

Rating
2.75 out of 5

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Hiking Horseshoe and Chinook Creek Falls via Upper Siouxon Creek

This excellent early-season romp heads up a lush river canyon boasting three gorgeous waterfalls with riverside campsites for an overnight, or a longer, more challenging loop.

From the trailhead at the end of 5701, descend to a T-junction and turn right (east), heading upstream toward Siouxon Creek (turning left heads downstream and connects to longer Huffman and Siouxon Peak Trails.) Just under a mile along, look for the Horseshoe Ridge trail, breaking off to the right. This 6.9-mile spur climbs to the 3,200-foot viewless crest of Horseshoe Ridge before descending to meet up with the Siouxon Creek trail farther up.

After another half mile, the trail turns slightly south of Siouxon Creek to cross Horseshoe Creek Falls on a sturdy wooden bridge; 60 yards past the falls, look for a spur that descends to a couple of secluded campsites below the falls. A quarter mile farther brings you alongside Siouxon Creek Falls, a 40-foot plunge down a narrow S-shaped cleft. Two campsites and a small, primitive shelter can be found opposite the falls; a short side trail above the falls allows for water access.

Continue up the canyon for 2 more miles to a wide stream cascading across the trail. Use caution on the slick rocks during the early season high runoff. Just beyond the crossing, fork left over another wooden bridge, this time over a deep gorge cut through the rock. Now along Chinook Creek, pass a couple more campsites, and arrive at 50-foot Chinook Creek Falls. A ford is required to connect to the other side of the trail to continue on to Huffman and Siouxon Peaks, so this makes an ideal lunch and turnaround spot below the misty falls.

Hike Description Written by
Eli Boschetto, WTA Community

Horseshoe and Chinook Creek Falls via Upper Siouxon Creek

Map & Directions

Trailhead
Co-ordinates: 45.9466, -122.1773 Open in Google Maps

Before You Go

The North Fork Siouxon trail is closed for wildfire

See weather forecast

Parking Pass/Entry Fee

Northwest Forest Pass

WTA Pro Tip: Save a copy of our directions before you leave! App-based driving directions aren't always accurate and data connections may be unreliable as you drive to the trailhead.

Getting There

Drive I-205 north or south to exit 30. Turn east onto SR-500, turning into SR-503, for 26 miles. Turn right on NE Healy Road, continuing 9 miles to a fork. Veer left on FR-57 for 1.2 miles, then left again on FR-5701 for 4.0 miles to the trailhead.

More Hike Details

Trailhead

South Cascades > Dark Divide

Siouxon (#130)

Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Adams Ranger District

Guidebooks & Maps

Day Hiking: South Cascades (Nelson & Bauer–Mountaineers Books)

Green Trails No. 396 Lookout Mountain

https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MEDIA/stelprdb5161065.pdf

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Horseshoe and Chinook Creek Falls via Upper Siouxon Creek

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