There are waterfalls in every corner of this beautiful state. And, on the Olympic Peninsula, Marymere Falls offers a classic adventure opportunity and photo-op. Otter Falls. Otter Falls (also Otter Slide, Otter Slide Falls or Otter Creek Falls) is a waterfall in King County, Washington; on the southern wall of Mount Anderson. Read More: 100+ Wonderful Places to Visit in Western North Carolina There is a higher viewpoint and a lower viewpoint. Make sure you take a map with you or that you know where to turn in the junctions because my husband did get lost on this trail. Similarly, a waterfall with two drops separated by a pool, one with a true free-falling drop, and one with a Horsetail type fall will average the two, so while the Plunging drop has a Pitch of 90 degrees, if the Horsetail drop has a Pitch of 45 degrees, the total Pitch will be roughly 67 degrees. For more information on our waterfall form classifications, see the Help page. You dont need to hike to enjoy this waterfall, though. And the hardest but shortest trail award goes to Spirit Falls! It was good exercise, and not the end of the world to add a few more miles. We parked at the Garfield Ledges Trailhead but others parked at the end of the closed road just before the bridge over Taylor River. 100 Type of Hike Day hike Trail Conditions Trail in good condition Road Road suitable for all vehicles Bugs Bugs were an annoyance Snow Snow free Trails Hiked Taylor River - Otter Falls Wildflowers blooming Ripe berries Otter Falls - Taylor River by AKorn We arrived at the trailhead at close to 2:45pm. This moderately strenuous hike starts from a trailhead parking area at 825 Skyland Drive and descends about 230 feet to scenic Otter Falls on Valley Creek. Finding the trailhead: Take Exit 34 off I-90 and go left onto 468th Ave. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Otter Falls is a waterfall in King County, Washington; on the southern wall of Mount Anderson. The watershed which a waterfall occurs within, if it is specified, will be based on the ultimate distributary watercourse to the ocean. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. It is another easy lookout of a fantastic tall standing waterfall! Get Trail News Construction of the current trail was made possible by 50/50 donations from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and local donors. Jul 28, 2019 05:37 PM. Additional details about accessibility are included with each. Additional deliniation is then applied depending on characteristics such as the breadth of the falls, whether it splits into two or more channels, whether it falls in multiple successive drops, etc. Most of the trail is wide and there are a few rocks and a bit of mud here and there. It is marked with several cairns as well as a hand written sign on a cedar plank. We care about privacy. Roughly eight feet deep, this swimming hole like many, is located in the Catskill Mountains. Contributions to WTA are tax deductible, and we are committed to making the best use of every donation to our mission. The river is still within earshot and occasionally viewable downhill through the trees, but no longer the key feature in your viewscape. I suggest combining Panther Creek Falls which I talk about below. I also like to explore them in the Winter because most are great options to avoid avalanche danger. This is only needed in the busy season, which is June 15 through September 15. If someone told me I could only visit one waterfall for the rest of my life, I would probably pick this one. Intense storms dropped more than a month's worth of rain in parts of New York's Hudson Valley and in Vermont from late Sunday into Monday, causing historic flooding across the Northeast . In the middle of winter this might be too long of a hike for our short winter days. Teneriffe Falls, I feel like it is a hidden gem of Washington. The Springtime can bring a ton of mud so bring good waterproof hiking shoes and extra socks. There are several creek crossings. The Pitch of a waterfall is an estimated - often very roughly - measure of the average slope or steepness of a waterfall. Otter Falls King County, Washington, United States Status: Cataloged This waterfall has been surveyed in person by the World Waterfall Database. This is a great family hike, and it is the start of one of the most popular backpacking trails in the Olympic National Park: The High Divide. " For example, Washington's Palouse Falls occurs along the Palouse River - which is a tributary to the Snake River, which is itself a tributary to the Columbia River, which ultimately enters the Pacific Ocean, so Palouse Falls would then fall within the Columbia River watershed. Walk around the gate and across the little bridge spanning the Taylor River and continue straight/north over a bridge spanning the scenic and fast-moving Taylor River below, which at about 50 feet across is the widest youll see on the hike. To learn more about the rating systems which we employ and how they work. Located in the community of Seven Devils, find a paved parking area at the trailhead . I'm Jennie. Continuing on, youll encounter the most challenging stream crossing shortly before reaching the spur trail to Otter Falls. The Average Width of the waterfall represents the breadth of the waterfall from bank to bank under typical flow conditions, or if the waterfall has been Cataloged, under the conditions which it was most thoroughly surveyed. Its a long 10 mile hike to get there on a wide and mostly flat trail (700 feet of elevation gain) through a beautiful forest along a rushing river. Part of what makes Otter Falls so difficult to pin down with any sort of certainty is there is no clear cut point where the creek transitions from simply a cascading stream into a sliding waterfall. Otter Falls - Hiking Waterfalls Washington Central Cascades Otter Falls Tweet Pin it Otter Falls and Lipsy Lake, Taylor River Road, Mt. Directions to Take Out Location: From the town of Greig at the intersection of Blue Street (Main Street name changes to Blue Street) and Greig Road drive southeast on Greig Road for about .5 miles. Coordinates: 46.79454, -121.69949 Elevation: 5629 feet USGS Map: Mount Rainier East 7 1/2" Fairy Falls are located at the upper headwall of Stevens Canyon within Mount Rainier National Park. USGS Map: Snoqualmie Lake 7 1/2". So most families attempt that hike instead. I've included a picture of this area to help and there are also a few small cairns to guide the way. Required fields are marked *. Subscribe to our free email newsletter for hiking events, news, gear reviews and more. You can even stand right next to the waterfall! However, Mount Storm King is rated as difficult due to its steepness. 2022 thewanderingqueen The Wandering Queen is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If you hike during the summer, the mileage is only around 2 miles, which is great to do with the kids. It stands at about 380 feet high! We will rely on USGS data as much as possible, and attempt to take into account seasonal fluctuations in stream levels if possible. While plumb uses eight distnct forms, we wanted further granularity and opted to break down the hierarchy twofold: first based on the overall pitch of the waterfall, and then based on what shape the fall takes as it makes its descent. In fact, we were one of the few people without kids. They have a fantastic brunch, and it is a great place to take people from out of town. The volume of water present in the stream at the location of the waterfall. Whatcom Falls is a great waterfall to visit all year long. This information may be changed at any given time to ensure accuracy. Continue on FR 56 formerly a miserable, rutted dirt road but now paved for its entire run thanks to a 3 year reconstruction project that wrapped up in mid-2017 for 12 miles when the pavement turns to dirt and soon dead-ends altogether at a series of concrete barricades and a couple of composting toilet bathrooms marking the beginning of the hike. There are some sections of gravel and some significant potholes along parts of the road, though you can make it in any car if you go slowly and carefully. The Number of Drops in a waterfall is a tally of the total number of distinct drops which make up the waterfall. I put a pink ribbon on the sign today. Washington Trails Association is 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This waterfall is a PNW classic. That said, its also a very mellow grade and completely flat for much of the distance. It is probably because the trailhead is right next to the very popular Grove of the Patriarchs Trail. So there they sat watching us eat in their camp, leaving no room for others to enjoy the natural beauty. Look straight ahead and through the trees youll see (and hear) massive Otter Falls or at least the lower third of its 1,600 foot fall (the upper sections arent visible from the bottom) streaking down across a cliff face. There were a few campers along the riverbank as we progressed. We often utilize Google Earth to measure the width (where imagery is of sufficient quality and resolution to allow it. As an example, a waterfall which features two truly free-falling leaps separated by several dozen yards of flat stream will have a Pitch of 90 degrees. Road and parking lot was snowy starting just past Mailbox. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. I would also stop at Lake Crescent, that is located at the trailhead. The falls are located upstream and downstream from the bridge. Whether you're a new resident, a frequent visitor, or a local, we're leaving no detail behind. Stay straight on the main trail/road and continue on another 0.2 miles to the official marked trailhead for Snoqualmie Lake Trail (which will take you to Otter Falls) where there is a small kiosk with an overview map of the trails in the region and a metal gate (with a big Road Closed For Vehicles Beyond This Point sign on it) blocking cars from accessing the trail. But, trust me, most waterfall trails in Washington have no mountain views, just trees! If you are looking for a relaxing but long trail into the woods, Otter Falls is a great trail. However, it is such a shame that it is farther away from Seattle when compared to the other waterfalls. It is also not a guarantee you will see the area blanketed by snow, as shown in my pictures below. The trail is open. Total height. It gains about 700 feet of elevation over 5 miles so other than a couple of places (including the very steep couple hundred yards at the end to the waterfall) you dont notice the climbing. The lush moss and trees really make the long drive so worth it! Number of drops. To get there, take Exit 34 off I-90 in North Bend. There were a few https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/trip-reports/trip_report.2019-07-28.7939514243, https://www.wta.org/site_images/trip-reports/2019/tripreport.image.2019-07-28.7834302906/@@download/image/file.jpg, InMemoryOfDiegoMoreno2K56 on Otter Falls - Taylor River. After a couple of miles theres a fork in the road, keep to the left. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. So the trick is to wait until there is a snowstorm, where even the town of North Bend is covered in snow (this town is covered in snow only a few times a year). Narada Falls is a quick pitstop when you are headed to the popular Paradise area in Mount Rainier National Park. The trail is covered almost the entire way, so it is a great option on a hot summer day. Last updated: [wpautoterms last_updated_date]If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us. 7. There are also several stream crossings along the trail, which involve hopping across rocks or logs. Little Mashel Falls is a fantastic spot to visit during the Fall. Spray Falls in Mount Rainier stands out in a region of prominent natural landmarks. In fact, we ended up grabbing a few beers situated a few minutes away after exploring this park. Therefore, the waterfall relies entirely on snowmelt to flow and often dries up by July. First off. Thanks for the support of Western Washington Honda Dealers and our other corporate sponsors. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. The bridge crossing over Marten Creek is impressive! Mazama Falls Whatcom County, Washington Detailed Info Mazama Falls is the largest waterfall in the Wells Creek drainage, thundering a total of 545 feet in seven successive steps between bowl-like depressions carved into the valley's huge headwall below Laisocarpe Ridge. Once youve taken in your fill of Otter Falls (it might take awhile! You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. The lower viewpoint has better visibility of the waterfall. It drops about 1,600 feet in all, but due to the relatively moderate pitch of the mountainside, only about 1/3 of the total height can be seen from the ground. Look left here and see a sign for Otter Falls and follow it up the hill (you can continue on an additional half mile to Big Creek Falls for another waterfall if you like). It is a wonderful view and can easily be accessed by most people. Im a fourth generation Seattleite who lived in Alaska for 7 years and I still spend lots of time there every year. Our policy is here: https://www.ordinary-adventures.com/privacy-policy/, Low Key Outdoor Adventure for Everyone in North America's Top Left. After another mile and a quarter, the trail dips down into a dry creek bed. If you go in the winter, the trail will be a lot longer compared to the summer. I found trekking poles extremely helpful in the stream crossings. It drops about 1,600 ft in all, but due to the relatively moderate pitch of the mountainside, only about 1/3 of the total height can be seen from the ground. 47.59224, -121.46749
Three and a half miles from your car (3 miles from the trailhead proper) youll come to a strong log bridge over Marten Creek. Accessibility and Mobility: This trail is not at all steep, except for scrambling up to the waterfall itself, which is very steep with roots for a short distance. Only saw one other group on trail today, a very quiet hike. In another half mile of hiking, the Quartz Creek Trail (a spur that winds its way 8 miles deep into the forest above the river valley) forks off uphill to the left, but stay straight on the main trail with the Taylor River on your right. Follow the road through the beautiful Middle Fork Valley, passing numerous trailheads. Therefore . If youre a backpacker there are lots of options for backpacking along this trail. on Staring up at Big Creek Falls, which drops ~300 feet across a series of granite benches and slides punctuated with boulders the size of VW buses and fallen trees layered over each other from either side of the chasm created by eons of concentrated water pressure. There have been numerous fatalities in this area, so always watch your step. And getting there on foot along a former logging road that has returned to the wild over several decades is half the fun. When it comes to family hikes near Seattle, Twin Falls wins almost every time. The waterfall on the left does tend to dry out in the fall, so I would avoid it during this time. I'm Jennie. Continue walking on this old logging road for about 0.2 mile and pass a choice river-front campsite on your left. Deer Creek, Stafford & Ohanapecosh Falls, Denny Creek Waterslides & Keekwulee Falls. Below I list the best waterfalls in Washington State. Marymere Falls is an easy trail to do for the whole family. In Memory of Diego Moreno Prieto - 2K56 Pit toilets are located at the Garfield Ledges Trailhead which is the best option for parking. As I was heading up, a friendly hiker coming down warned me about a tricky section where the trail itself has become a small creek. #2Otter Falls WashingtonWaterfallUpdated: 2020-05-03Otter Falls is a waterfall in King County, Washington on the southern wall of Mount Anderson. It was difficult to capture just how big and beautiful this waterfall is. Take a moment to evaluate the best option for crossing! The information presented in this table is meant to help identify and clarify the physical aspects of the waterfall for comparative purposes. Just drive on the shoulder sides so only one side of your car goes into the pothole :-) or weave all over the road for the minimal "dip". Once youve had your fill of this secluded little waterfall and snapped the requisite picture or two, pick your way back down to the main trail and continue on your way to the left/east. This trail is steep! This waterfall is ginormous and is around 354 feettall. Washington Trails Association 705 2nd Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98104 (206) 625-1367. To Snoqualmie Lake and back, stopping at Otter Falls along the way. As we neared, we encountered a couple dourly leaving. It's a long and mostly flat walk through the forest to get . Youll soon be at tiny Lipsy Lake and spectacular Otter Falls in front of you. But I luckily had some microspikes on me and went on my way. I didn't use microspikes/yaktracks, but they probably would have helped. Since I went in the winter, I almost turned around because of how icy and steep it was. I am Michelle! Lonesome vehicle bridge at Big Creek Falls. AKorn 1600 feet. Required fields are marked *. This trail is on another level! Also make sure you have a map, as there are a ton of junctions with no signs. Entries which specify a Flow Consistncy of 12 Months should in general have an acceptable flow at any time of year (but may be better during certain periods - see below). Waterfall galore. You dont have to come here during the night, though.