Waterfall hikes offer the perfect reward for getting some great exercise. And while Washington's more popular waterfall trails like Franklin Falls remain perpetually packed, you'll also find plenty of hidden gems worth exploring. The Falls Creek Trail Loop is one of them.
The Falls Creek Trail Loop is located in the beautiful Gifford Pinchot National Forest near the town of Carson.
The southwestern part of our state is breathtaking, and this trail shows off some of its finest parts.
The trail begins at the end of Road 3062, and you'll have to pay close attention -- there aren't many signs for it.
A few hikers have complained about the lack of signs, but once you find the trail, you'll see that it's nice and well-maintained.
This hike is about 5 miles in length, and it's a fairly easy trek.
The first couple of miles are spent climbing through spectacular forest.
Eventually, you'll cross a cable suspension bridge that spans a rock gorge with spectacular views of Falls Creek...
... and then, of course, there's this.
You'll hear the roar of Falls Creek Falls before you see it.
The trail will take you right up to the base of these thundering waters.
You'll find plenty of large boulders scattered around the viewing area in case you want to have a seat or even set up a picnic lunch.
The waterfall actually has three tiers, dropping 60 feet over a wide ledge before veiling over a 90 foot cliff and dropping 70 feet into a huge bowl.
And it's pretty amazing to see.
The Falls Creek Trail Loop is a beautiful (and underrated) hike. And if you enjoy waterfall hikes, we have the bucket list for you.
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