"And the sign said anybody caught trespassin' would be shot on sight..." (Five Man Electrical Band) Well, not really - but it did say "1000 dollar criminal citation. No warnings." This hike has been closed since the start of the pandemic in a knee-jerk reaction to the spread of Covid-19. Guess they didn't want your covid infested breath wafting through the trees and settling on their lake. I'm thinking they were just looking for a good excuse to finally stop people from passing through their property on the way to the falls. (see the WTA description for this hike) The temporary signs have been replaced with a permanent looking one, and NO PARKING signs now ring the original TH. I doubt this will be open anytime soon; if ever. "So I jumped on the fence and yelled at the house - Hey! What gives you the right?" The PUD, that's what...
Anyway, the falls are not on PUD property, so you can still get to them - if you're willing to take the long way around. It's not too bad - you're just trading a short boring hike for a long boring hike. Roughly doubles the distance; I'd say about three miles each way. Seems more like a hike at least. Had to park on the side of the road as the limited parking was taken by a half dozen vehicles. I'm guessing mostly hunters, as I met two on bikes - nobody at the falls. Still a road walk, and still a Discover Pass. If you do this during the week, watch for logging trucks.
Wildlife count : two hunters, four centipedes, nine woolies, fourteen slugs, and a chipmunk.
Comments
George & Sally on Explorer Falls
Just like the signs says, the road part way to the falls is on City of Everett property, so has nothing to do with Sno. County PUD. It is near the city's drinking water storage lake and filtration plant. The water comes out of the Sultan River. Once you leave the drivable gravel road, then you are on DNR land. Years ago when I lived near Lake Roesiger, you could drive the Echo Lake Truck Trail Road before it was gated off. George
Posted by:
George & Sally on Oct 17, 2020 09:44 PM
mato on Explorer Falls
Thanks, George - you are correct. If I'm pointing fingers I should make sure I'm pointing the right way.
I hiked up to Echo Lake a couple years back. Pretty country up there, if you can look past the clearcuts. Seems everything is gated nowadays; but who can blame them?
Posted by:
mato on Oct 18, 2020 05:12 AM
goingdowngametrails on Explorer Falls
Would you happen to know the current status of the Echo Lake Road? I can find references in the watershed documents to the right of way easement is to remain open, but there are large dogs guarding the private road and no indication of the easement.
Posted by:
goingdowngametrails on Nov 30, 2020 10:23 PM
mato on Explorer Falls
Where are you starting from? I got there from the end of the trail on the ridge above the falls. Went north on overgrown road til I hit a good road, then followed the maze of roads to the lake. GPS would help here for sure.
Posted by:
mato on Dec 01, 2020 06:41 PM
goingdowngametrails on Explorer Falls
I confused Lost and Echo Lakes. Still have yet to go up there and find echo lakes, since access is now a mile and a hills longer.
Posted by:
goingdowngametrails on Jan 05, 2021 01:13 PM
mato on Explorer Falls
The Lk. Chaplain/Diversion Dam Rd. is also closed (for covid), so getting to Lost Lake from that side is out.
Posted by:
mato on Jan 05, 2021 04:46 PM
AngMae on Explorer Falls
Hi Mato. I miss this nice little walk! We really enjoyed it all year round. I did notice it was getting pretty crowded with out of towners this last year and wonder if that is part of the reason behind the extended closure. Do you mind sharing the location of the alternative parking area you used? It might be a nice winter jaunt. The added distance will probably deter most people I'm thinking. Thank you!
Posted by:
AngMae on Oct 28, 2020 07:32 AM
mato on Explorer Falls
The previous report by twawta gave good directions, but to re-cap : Just past the collapsed barn and Woods Creek valley, there is a logging road on the left that angles uphill - gate is usually locked. Three or four spots, park on side of road if needed; Discover Pass. Walk past the lake, and downhill into an older clearcut. On the other side, just before a creek, take the little used road on the right. (If you've ever wondered where the road went past the falls, this is it - you're just coming from the other direction.) Falls are about a quarter mile on left.
I actually like this way better. There is no stream to cross, and it's a more interesting walk. Glad this hike is still an option.
Posted by:
mato on Oct 31, 2020 12:06 PM
mato on Explorer Falls
*update 2/27/2021 - The barn is gone, nothing but a flat spot left. And perhaps in a nod to it being the unofficial TH, it looks like new gravel has been put down. Also, I checked the mileage - from the TH, it is a half mile up the hill to the lake, and just under two to the turn-off; from there it's just over a half mile to the falls. So about 2 1/2 miles total one way.
Posted by:
mato on Feb 28, 2021 12:12 PM
WEARE12 on Explorer Falls
I thoroughly enjoyed this Trip Report!! I like the Tesla version better, by the way. Your wildlife count was awesome!
Posted by:
WEARE12 on Feb 19, 2021 08:28 PM