Outdoor Activities - Waterfalls
Snohomish County's scenic back country has a wealth of waterfalls that never fail to dazzle visitors. Many are the "reward" for hikers, luring them along forested trails into the Cascade foothills. Other falls can be seen from your automobile at vantage points along rural highways. Every waterfall presents great opportunities for photo-taking and nature appreciation. Here are 21 spectacular waterfalls worth your effort to view them:
Alpine Falls - From Everett or Monroe, drive east on US Hwy 2. About 2.5 miles from the Ranger Station located at mile marker 49, park at the turnout just past the bridge on the south side crossing the Tye River. The well-worn path is not marked. Follow it to the double wide falls. The somersaulting white water drops only 50 feet, but during the spring run-off is very impressive.
Deception Falls - From Everett or Monroe, drive east on US Hwy 2. About 6.6 miles east of the Ranger Station (located at mile marker 49), on the south side of the road. Well marked area with parking and restrooms available.
Bridal Veil Falls - From Everett or Monroe, drive east on US Hwy 2. Leave US Hwy 2 at Mount Index Road, immediately south of the bridge over South Fork Skykomish River. Turn south in 0.3 mile on Road #104/1. A hiking trail begins at the road's end and ascends moderately to the first of the cataracts in one mile. Bridal Veil Falls are visible from US Hwy 2, 1/4 mile east of the Index turnoff. Looking across the valley from the highway, the falls are a beautiful sight. The falls begin in a narrow draw running off Lake Serene near Mount Index. They widen and careen down, forming two wispy "veils" in summer and a solid sheet of blue ice in cold periods of winter.
Canyon Falls - Same directions as Sunset Falls, but take left fork from chained bridge. The falls are about one mile down the drive. Close-up views are possible, but be careful. Stay away from the slippery, moss-covered boulders and bare rocks that slope toward the river. USE EXTREME CAUTION.

Eagle Falls - Drive US 2 about 4 miles east of Index to the parking turnout closes to mile marker 39. A path immediately east of the marker leads to a noisy 25- to 40- foot cascade along South Fork Skykomish River.

Bear Creek Falls - From Everett or Monroe drive 11.9 miles northeast of Index on the North Fork Skykomish Road #63. A short, steep path leads to the falls.

Wallace Falls - From Everett or Monroe drive to the town of Gold Bar. Turn left at the sign for Wallace Falls State Park. Follow more signs to the park headquarters and trailhead. A 7-mile loop trail leading to the falls provides a view of the 265-foot waterfall which is very popular with day hikers.

Explorer Falls - Drive 13 miles north from Monroe on Woods Creek Road to cottage-lined Roesiger Lake. Or reach the lake by driving about 8 miles south from Granite Falls on Lake Roesiger Road. Turn east on the gravel Monroe Camp Road. Ignore spur roads as you leave and reenter wooded tracts. After 3.5 miles, park at a gravel pit on the right side of the road. Hike upstream a few hundred feet to an exposed view of an unnamed tributary of Woods Creek dropping 50 to 70 feet from a cliff.
Granite Falls - The community of Granite Falls is named after these cascades, located 1.5 miles north of town on the Mountain Loop Highway, the extension of SR 92. Water froths along South Fork Stillaguamish River in a series of descents totaling 30 to 40 feet. A short trail leads to the falls from a parking area on the south side of a bridge crossing the river. A 580-foot fishway connects the top and bottom parts of the river via a 240-foot tunnel, allowing salmon to bypass the cascades and proceed upstream to spawn.
First Falls - Follow the Mountain Loop Highway 10 miles northeast of Granite Falls to the Verlot Ranger Station and townsite. After the main road crosses the South Fork Stillaguamish about one mile east of the ranger station, make two successive right turns - the first on Pilchuck State Park Road #42, the second on gravel Monte Cristo Grade Road #4201. The 30- to 40-foot cataract drops along an unnamed creek 0.4 mile beyond the turnoff from Pilchuck Road.
Heather Creek Falls - Drive on Road #4201 for 0.6 mile past First Falls (above) to a small pond. Hike along its far (west) bank to a series of cascades, the pond's source of water.

Triple Creek Falls - Drive along Road #4201 to its end 0.9 mile past Heather Creek Falls. Walk along a well-worn path for 200 yards to this 15- to 25- foot drop. A 40-foot upper falls are accessible by climbing (no trail) a few hundred feet upstream.

Twentytwo Creek Falls - A series of three falls is accessible from trails within Lake Twentytwo Research Natural Area. Drive along Mountain Loop Highway 2 miles past the Verlot Ranger Station to Twentytwo Creek Trailhead #702. The lowest falls are encountered after 0.5 mile of easy walking and 0.5 mile of moderately strenuous hiking. A short distance farther, follow short spur trails to view the two other falls.

Ryan Falls - This waterfall is located on private property, but can be seen from the main highway. Water slides 50 to 75 feet down a hillside along an unnamed creek. Take SR530 almost 7 miles northeast from Arlington. The falls, just west of mile marker 28, are at their best during late autumn, according to the landowner.

Twin Falls - Spend the day hiking to a unique double falls whose waters pause between descents in minuscule Twin Falls Lake. Wilson Creek drops 125 feet into the pool, then tumbles another 400 feet from the outlet. The trail system on this state-owned land was built by the Department of Natural Resources.

Drive about 5 miles east of the Verlot Ranger Station along the Mountain Loop Highway Road #4020, labeled Bear Lake Trail and Bald Mountain Trail. In 2.75 miles turn right (east) at the junction of Road #4021. Drive to the next fork in 1.5 miles and turn left at the Bald Mountain Trail sign. Ignore the many short spurs along the final 1.25 miles. Turn right at the Y in 0.25 mile, then left again in another 0.75 mile. The Bald Mountain Trailhead is located at the end of this steep 0.25-mile road.

Hike 0.75 mile along Bald Mountain Trail to Beaver Plant Lake. Soon after, take the right for on Ashland Lakes Trail. Pass both Upper and Lower Ashland Lakes in 2 miles. There are campsites at both lakes. Twin Falls Lake and its falls are 1.5 miles beyond Lower Ashland Lake.

Feature Show Falls - An unnamed creek curtains 80 feet over a cliff into Boulder Creek. Take SR 530 to French Creek Road #2010, located 8 miles west of Darrington, or 20 miles east of Arlington, and turn south. At 3.6 miles from the highway, the gravel road takes a sharp turn. The Boulder Creek Trail #734 sign is at the apex of the bend. At one mile it passes above Boulder Falls, which lies in a canyon so deep that it can hardly be heard and is impossible to safely view. But, a short distance beyond, a side trail drops to the river, and several campsites. At 1.25 miles, across the river, is the first of two waterfalls tumbling off cliffs into the river. Best viewed in early spring.
Asbestos Creek Falls - From Darrington follow Sauk River Road #20 south 2.5 miles to Clear Creek Road #2060 and turn right. Drive another 2.5 miles to where Asbestos Creek flows beneath the gravel road. The steep cascades are a few hundred feet upstream.
North Fork Falls - Water thunders 60 to 80 feet along North Fork Sauk River. From Darrington take Sauk River Road #20 south for 15.5 miles to North Fork Road #49. Turn left and drive 1.2 miles to the sign for Trail #660. Hike 0.25 mile to an overlook of the falls. North Fork Road #49 can also be reached from Verlot; drive east 27 miles along Mountain Loop Highway, which begins as SR 92, and turn right. Small bench marks trail end - turn back. Do not take game trails as they are slippery and very dangerous.
Suiattle Falls - This double cascade falls a total of 70 to 100 feet along an unnamed creek from Suiattle Mountain. Take the Darrington-Rockport Road 6.5 miles north of Darrington or 12 miles south of Rockport to the bridge, turn east on Suiattle River Road #26. Drive 2.75 miles to a turnout on the right side of the road. Walk to the drainage just crossed and scramble 100 feet upstream to the falls.
Teepee Falls - Follow the directions to Suiattle Falls (above) and continue along Suiattle River Road #26 for 4 more miles. Teepee Falls is a 50- to 60- foot series of cascades located directly under the bridge spanning the chasm of Big Creek.
Gibson Falls - A narrow fan of water glistens in a dimly lit recess. Follow the directions to Teepee Falls (above) and continue 3 miles more to the Suiattle River, next to the junction of Road #25. The falls are hidden along an unnamed creek 6.5 miles up Road #25. A dip in the bridge over circle Creek is a good reference point. Drive 0.1 mile past this point to the next drainage and park. Follow the creek upstream 200 feet to the base of the falls.