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Hiking to Falls Creek Falls

This is one heck of a waterfall in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest section of the Pacific Northwest.

Falls Creek Falls Washington Gifford Pinchot National Forest Pacific Northwest Waterfall

About The Hike


The hike begins at a parking lot with restroom facilities in Gifford Pinchot National Forest and can be done as a loop or an out & back hike. The trail runs along Falls Creek and includes cool bridges, trails that line the gorge, and amazing old growth forest with plenty of that Pacific Northwest mossy tree vibe.



Falls Creek Falls Washington Gifford Pinchot National Forest Pacific Northwest Trail

You have the choice to hike to both the top and the bottom of the falls, with the bottom giving you this great viewing spot of the two tiers of waterfalls. Unfortunately I was running out of daylight here and was unable to make it to the top.


If you can plan out a few hours for this hike I would definitely recommend checking it out. These were some of the most extreme falls I saw in the Pacific Northwest.


Falls Creek Trail Loop:

Distance: 5.3 Miles

Type: Loop

Elevation: 2362 feet

Ascent: 1118 feet


Falls Creek Falls Washington Gifford Pinchot National Forest Pacific Northwest Trail Sign

The out & back that I hiked when visiting in September was roughly 3 miles total. The AllTrails map does not include the section of hiking out & back to the lower falls viewpoint so be sure to include that if doing the full loop or only the shorter and direct out & back.



Falls Creek Falls 152A is 1.5 miles each way and is the most direct route to the base of the falls.

Falls Creek Falls Washington Gifford Pinchot National Forest Pacific Northwest Waterfall

Getting There and Important Information


The trailhead is located in the southern section of Gifford Pinchot National Forest. The roads leading up to the trailhead are gravel but maintained enough for two wheel drive vehicles.



The parking lot is very large indicating this could be a popular hike however only a couple cars were located here when I visited in the afternoon mid-week of September.


There are what looks to be free primitive camping spots along the mile long gravel road approaching the parking lot. There are also dispersed sites a quarter-mile of a hike in along the Falls Creek. I also did not see any no camping or no overnight parking signs in the parking area.


Falls Creek Falls Washington Gifford Pinchot National Forest Pacific Northwest Parking Lot



Be sure to check out the other insane waterfalls in Gifford Pinchot National Forest like Panther Creek Falls!

 

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Photography exclusively by Dan Oliver unless otherwise stated and cited. Embedded maps are provided by Embed Google Map (embedgooglemap.net) and map images shown are provided as stated and cited.

DISCLAIMER:

This website is provided for entertainment purposes only, and is not meant to serve as an instructional guide, or present itself as an authority for any of the locations written about. The locations mentioned, written, and photographed herein are nothing more than my personal adventure archive. If you are interested in visiting any locations you should not depend on the information in this website to plan any excursions. You should research a wide variety of informational sources, websites, hiking guide books and maps found elsewhere. Many locations are dangerous and potentially illegal to access which can lead to fines, injury or death even when prepared. I do not encourage anyone to trespass or put themselves or others in way of harm. This website, and therefore its’ owner/author, cannot assume any responsibility for anything you may incur while hiking or exploring any of these locations or anywhere on planet earth. Thank you for viewing!


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