Upper Stevens Creek Falls WA - Description | History

Upper Stevens Creek Falls is a waterfall within the Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County, Washington. Although nearly ignored, it’s stated to be one of the many best waterfalls within the state.

Upper Stevens Creek Falls Overview

The falls are fed by Stevens Creek, which is a tributary of the Cowlitz River. The falls drop about 375 feet (114 m) right into a slim, barren canyon in a horsetail kind about 60 feet (18 m) large. Significant off-trail travel, which is prohibited, is required to view this waterfall correctly.

Stevens Creek enters county land at Stevens Creek Reservoir County Park. Trails run alongside the creek within the park. Stevens Creek Reservoir occupies 93 acres of the 1095 acre park.

Fishing and boating are popular right here. Above the reservoir, the creek runs up Stevens Canyon by personal land alongside Stevens Canyon Road. After the street ends, the creek enters Upper Stevens Creek County Park and Monte Bello Open Space Preserve.

These adjoining parks comprise 4664 acres of the rugged forested open area alongside the flanks of the Santa Cruz Mountains. In Monte Bello, trails lead alongside the higher reaches of spring-fed Stevens Creek, which runs year-round. Stevens Creek follows alongside the rift of the San Andreas Fault on this area.

Upper Stevens Creek Falls Description

At the head of Stevens Canyon, there are two massive waterfalls; Upper Stevens Creek Falls, and Fairy Falls. Fairy Falls is the taller and far more well-known of the 2, although is troublesome to succeed in.

Upper Stevens Creek Falls is by far the superior waterfall, regardless that it’s two-thirds as tall as Fairy Falls. However, and really a lot to my shock, regardless that it’s sublimely easy to view this waterfall.

Even more surprising is that that is simply among the best waterfalls within the state. Let me run that by you once more. This, among the best waterfalls in Washington State, positioned inside spitting distance of a tourist-magnet path, is nearly unknown to the world. You can consider two defining components for this misfortune.

One, the paths within the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park are lined with “Do not trample the meadows” indicators (for a good purpose, in fact), and Two, regardless that the falls might be considered actually 200 linear feet off a serious path, they can’t be heard in any respect except you might be standing on the fringe of the canyon by which they’re located.

There are faint paths alongside the canyon rim, proof that I’m not the one one to have ever seemed down upon this waterfall, however, it’s virtually startling to me that the National Park Service hasn’t constructed a lot as a spur path to a degree the place the falls are plainly seen.

Unfortunately, like a lot of the great waterfalls of the Northwest, there’s a downside to this one as nicely. Even although the simply accessed views of the falls are fairly spectacular, they don’t justly illustrate the magnitude of this waterfall.

Significant off-path travel is necessary to view this waterfall correctly, and as a result of the fragile nature of the area, I can’t post instructions to stated viewpoints. Needless to say, the easy-to-reach viewpoints aren’t ideally suited, however, they do nicely in a pinch.

In addition to the sub-par viewpoints, the 375-foot falls thunder right into a slim, barren canyon, the place snow typically lingers as a result of lack of publicity. Despite these small shortcomings, it is troublesome to not take into account this one of many great waterfalls within the northwest.

Upper Stevens Creek Falls Name and History

Logic would dictate that this waterfall was recognized simply in addition to Fairy Falls was when Mount Rainier was being explored within the early twentieth century, why it escaped being named is a thriller (although there are reviews {that a} Granite Falls was named roughly 3 1/2 miles from Paradise and that mileage might conceivably be labored out to suit this location).

How to Get the Upper Stevens Creek Falls

Upper Stevens Creek County Park is positioned at:

Skyline Blvd Palo Alto, CA 94034

Park Office: (408) 867-9959

Upper Stevens Creek Park might be accessed from Skyline Blvd (Hwy 35). A parking area is positioned roughly 3 miles south of Page Mill Road and three.2 miles north of Highway 9.

Upper Stevens Creek Park may additionally be accessed by foot, horse, or bicycle from Stevens Canyon Road or the connecting Mid-Peninsula Open Space lands and trails. Public transit is out there to Stevens Creek County Park.

Upper Stevens Creek Falls Activities

The park can be popular with mountain bicyclists and for its 12.6 miles of long climbing trails and valley vistas. This park provides lush, densely wooded trails for a wide range of users.

The distinctive mixture of leisure sources and natural magnificence makes Upper Stevens Creek County Park a magnet for hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, and nature lovers.

Hours and Fees

The parks are open year-round from 8 a.m. till sundown.

Accessibility at the Upper Stevens Creek Falls

In compliance with the necessities of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (‘ADA’), the Santa Clara County Parks and Recreation Department won’t discriminate in opposition to certified people with disabilities on the basis of incapacity in its applications, companies, or activities.

The Department will make affordable modifications to policies and applications to make sure that people with incapacity have an equal alternative to get pleasure from our applications, companies, services, and activities.

About Me

Dashy

Upper Stevens Creek Falls WA – Description | History | Travel