Waterfalls

Stevens Pass Area

Alpine Falls: Drive 2.5 miles east from ranger station on US Highway 2. Park at the turnout just past the bridge crossing the Tye River. Walk south on a number of paths leading to the doublewide falls. The somersaulting whitewater drops only 50 feet but during the spring run-off, it is much more impressive.

Deception Falls: Proceed east approximately 10 miles past Skykomish to the signed Deception Falls picnic area, just to the west of the Bridge crossing immediately over Deception Falls. Park and find the stairs leading to the bridge spanning Deception Creek. The upper half of the falls is viewed from a observation deck a short distance further, with the lower half of the falls best seen 50 feet downstream.

Log Choke Falls: Drive east along US 2 from approximately 8.5 mile past Skykomish to Alpine Falls. From here, there are two ways to reach the falls. For better views, drive past Alpine Falls for about 1 more mile and park along the shoulder, across the street from a sign announcing the Deception Falls Picnic Area as being just up the road. The falls can be seen through the trees, below the road. Scrambling down to the river isn’t difficult, but it is steep, and there are often lots of bugs. The easiest access, however, is from the Old Cascade Highway. Drive 500 feet west from Alpine Falls to the western end of the Old Cascade Highway, turn right, and drive for about 1.4 miles (about 1/4 mile east of Martin Creek). The top of the falls is easily visible (more so if driving westbound from Scenic). Park and scramble down to the river at the base of the falls.

Index Area

Eagle Falls:  Drive US 2 about 9 miles west of Skykomish (or 4 miles east of Index) to the parking turnout closest to mile marker 39. Limited parking is available on both sides of the highway. The falls are formed by a long, narrow canyon of green water rushing past cliffs. A large, emerald green pool lies at the base of the falls. This area can quite dangerous because of the large Sunset Falls located downstream. USE CAUTION. No signs point the way but the pool, falls and canyon are easily recognizable.

Sunset Falls:  Turn off US 2 between mile markers 36 & 37 appx. 1.5 miles east of Index and 2.5 miles west of Eagle Falls. Follow the private, graveled road (Sunset Falls Fishway) about 0.2 miles to a chained bridge. Take the right fork for a short walk to Sunset Falls (the left fork leads to Canyon Falls – beware of slippery, moss-covered boulders and bare rocks that slope toward the river). Sunset falls is one of the widest places found on the South Fork Skykomish River below Index. Here the river looms slowly and deeply toward its confluence with the North Fork Skykomish below Index. The gray-black rock by the falls had been worn by centuries of flowing water. At the fishway, salmon are trucked around the falls and put back into the water.

Bridal Veil Falls:  These falls are visible from US 2 just east of Index. Looking across the valley from the highway, the falls are a most picturesque sight. The falls begin in a narrow draw running off Lake Serene near Mount Index. The falls widen and careen down forming two “veils” in the summer and a solid sheet of blue ice in cold periods of winter.

Bear Creek Falls : Located near Troublesome Creek Campground, along the Index-Galena Road. Turn off of Highway 2 at Index, and follow the Index-Galena Road for about 12 miles to a gravel pullout on the right side of the road (if you pass San Juan campground, you’ve gone too far). The gorge can be seen through the trees from the road, and a short path drops down 100 feet to the exposed rocks along the falls. Use caution in this area, the rocks can be slick even when they are dry. Bear Creek Falls, regardless of the waterfall's name, occurs on the North Fork Skykomish River, just upstream from the mouth of Bear Creek, rather than on Bear Creek itself. This series of small punchbowls isn't very impressive, but the structure of the narrow gorge is worth the visit.

 Deer Falls:  Although the falls are only about 300 feet away from a well-maintained road, this is not a waterfall for the weekend warrior. The only vantage I was able to attain was by perching atop a sheer 125-foot cliff, and holding onto a tree, which was leaning out over nothing but air. Quite possibly, the most nerve-wracking thing I’ve ever done to get a picture. If this sounds like your kind of place, read on. Turn off of Highway 2 at Index, and follow the Index-Galena Road for 14 3/4 miles to a three-way junction at the end of the pavement. Turn left, and continue on FR 63 for another 3 1/4 miles, to mile marker 18, and park. Deer Falls is located in the gorge below the road at this point. You should be able to hear it. From here, you’re on your own. The gorge rim is only about 200 to 300 feet away, but it’s a good 100 feet or more below the road. Be careful at the edge, the slopes can be crumbly.