Hike 61
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Falls Creek Falls Hike
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THE FOLLOWING MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES.
Map of the Falls Creek Falls Hike

Length: 3.4 Miles round trip
Elevation Change: 600' Elevation gain
Season: Spring thru Fall
Difficulty:   Moderate
Permit:   NW Forest Pass Required
Features:


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This excellent little hike begins off Forest Road #057. The trail is gentle and well used. You will climb a bit at first and then in about a half mile you will come to a unique suspension bridge that spans Falls Creek.

After crossing the creek, the trail parallels the creek all the way to the base of the lower falls. There will be times you can see the creek as you hike along, but most of the time you are high enough above it that you can only hear it. As you near the end of the trail you will break out onto a rocky cliff area where you get great glimpses of the upper falls.

When you reach the end of the trail you will be at the base of Falls Creek Falls. You can see the upper falls, but not nearly as well as the lower falls right in front of you.

Note that from December first to April first the gate allowing access to the trailhead is closed.



Queens Cup or Bead Lily along the trail to Falls Creek Falls
Upper Falls Creek Falls
How to get there:

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 Click for PDF Directions Map of this Hike 

From Portland, OR
From Portland, travel east on Interstate Hwy 84 to Exit 44 to Cascade Locks. Exit the freeway and cross over the Columbia River into Washington via the Bridge of the Gods. Then turn right, or east, and head east through Stevenson, Washington to the intersection of the Wind River Highway to Carson, Washington. Bear left onto the Wind River Highway which will take you through Carson, Washington.

from Vancouver, WA
From Vancouver, WA travel east on SR14 through Stevenson, Washington to the intersection of the Wind River Highway to Carson, Washington. Bear left onto the Wind River Highway which will take you through Carson, Washington.

from Carson, WA
Continue north on the Wind River Highway (FR30) for about 8.6 miles to the little community of Stabler and the junction with Forest Road 43, also called Hemlock Road. Continue northwest on FR30 for another 5.4 miles and you will pass a fish hatchery on the left. Continue on another half mile and you will come to the junction with Forest Road 3065, which continues straight ahead.

Turn right continue north on FR30 for another 0.8 miles and you will come to Forest Road 3062 on your right. Turn onto FR3062 and follow it another 2.4 miles until you come to a spur off this road on your right numbered FR057. Turn right onto this spur and follow it a short distance to the parking area and trailhead for this hike.



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A Virtual Hike in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest


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