Falls Creek Falls Loop

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Waterfall

This is a great, well-graded run to an impressive multi-tier waterfall that drops over 300 feet total. You'll follow the stream, cross it on a suspension bridge, arrive at the misty base of the falls, then run to the top for views of the valley, and finally take a less-crowded route back to the trailhead to form a loop.

Falls Creek Falls Creek #152A is most commonly taken as a ~3.4 mile out-and-back with about 750 feet of elevation gain. That shorter option is great, and well worth doing on it's own. This loop route is about double the out-and-back's effort, but will reward you with better views of the top tier of the falls and vistas towards Observation Peak in Trapper Creek Wilderness. The return route will also avoid the crowds!

There is a large gravel parking area at the end of Forest Road 3062 and a pit toilet. During the winter NF 3062 is gated about two miles before the trailhead with room to park for only a few cars. The road can have potholes but should be easy enough for any car.

Falls Creek #152A starts from the NE corner of the parking lot and quickly passes Falls Creek #152B which you'll return on before arriving at Falls Creek. At a little over a third of a mile you'll cross the creek on a nice suspension bridge that offers great views of the rapids. The trail then follows the north edge of the creek before gaining a bit of elevation. You'll cross a super-mossy tributary on another bridge and skirt past some cliffs before Falls Creek Falls comes into view. The trail ends at the base of the bottom-tiers: a 91 foot plunge and 135 foot mid section. The top tier is difficult to see from here.

Return about a half mile the way you came to the clearly signed connector trail to Falls Creek #152. This short connector gains a decent amount of elevation on a series of switchbacks. Turn right (east) on Falls Creek #152 and follow it uphill for about a half mile. Keep an eye out for an unsigned, but clear, spur trail on the right that leads to a cliff edge. From here you'll see down the valley towards Trapper Creek Wilderness and, looking down, the top tier of Falls Creek Falls. Go back to Falls Creek #152 and continue right (east) for another quarter of a mile on a very flat section to yet another unmarked, but clear, spur that leads to even better views of the valley and top tier.

From here return the way you came on Falls Creek #152 but pass the connector you came up on to continue downhill on Falls Creek #152. Eventually you'll have lost most of the elevation you gained and return to the north edge of the creek. At about 5.3 miles you'll come to a clear intersection. Turn left (south) to cross a sturdy bridge to get to Falls Creek #152B. Turn left (east) again to follow this trail through second growth forest back to the trailhead.