Sulphide Creek Falls
Encyclopedia
Sulphide Creek Falls is a tall, moderately large volume waterfall within North Cascades National Park
in Washington state. The falls drop from Sulphide Lake on the southeast side of Mount Shuksan
down a narrow flume-like canyon to a broad basin below. Because of the narrow, twisting shape of the canyon the waterfall is exceptionally difficult to see from ground-level perspectives. The total vertical drop of the waterfall is in the range of 2100 feet (640.1 m) to 2200 feet (670.6 m) feet, but it has not yet been accurately measured. Foot access to the bottom of the waterfall involves 2.5 miles (4 km) of off-trail travel in extremely brushy terrain and several potentially dangerous fords of a large stream.
Above Sulphide Lake is a further 1000 feet (304.8 m) of cascades, informally referred to as Sulphide Basin Falls, flowing from the Sulphide and Crystal glaciers, which provide most of the water that flows over Sulphide Creek Falls. This drop is geographically separate from Sulphide Creek Falls, and should not be confused with it, despite their close proximity and location on the same feeder stream.
(which Sulphide Creek flows into). The trail crosses Sulphide Creek at the confluence. From there, one must proceed upstream along the wide, rocky streambed, which continues to within about 1 miles (1.6 km) of the base of the falls. Thick avalanche
brush prevents further access.
North Cascades National Park
North Cascades National Park is a U.S. National Park located in the state of Washington. The park is the largest of the three National Park Service units that comprise the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. Several national wilderness areas and British Columbia parkland adjoin the...
in Washington state. The falls drop from Sulphide Lake on the southeast side of Mount Shuksan
Mount Shuksan
Mount Shuksan is a glaciated massif in the North Cascades National Park. Shuksan rises in Whatcom County, Washington immediately to the east of Mount Baker, and south of the Canadian border. The mountain's name Shuksan is derived from the Lummi word [šéqsən], said to mean "high peak". The highest...
down a narrow flume-like canyon to a broad basin below. Because of the narrow, twisting shape of the canyon the waterfall is exceptionally difficult to see from ground-level perspectives. The total vertical drop of the waterfall is in the range of 2100 feet (640.1 m) to 2200 feet (670.6 m) feet, but it has not yet been accurately measured. Foot access to the bottom of the waterfall involves 2.5 miles (4 km) of off-trail travel in extremely brushy terrain and several potentially dangerous fords of a large stream.
Other waterfalls
Another waterfall, which is on the opposite side of the valley and joins Sulphide Creek Falls at its base, should not be confused with Sulphide Creek Falls. This falls is much more visible, but only about one-half as high as Sulphide Creek Falls. This falls is sometimes referred to as Sulphide Valley Falls.Above Sulphide Lake is a further 1000 feet (304.8 m) of cascades, informally referred to as Sulphide Basin Falls, flowing from the Sulphide and Crystal glaciers, which provide most of the water that flows over Sulphide Creek Falls. This drop is geographically separate from Sulphide Creek Falls, and should not be confused with it, despite their close proximity and location on the same feeder stream.
Access
There is no trail to Sulphide Creek Falls. The closest trail is the Baker River Trail, which parallels the Baker RiverBaker River (Washington)
The Baker River is an approximately , southward-flowing tributary of the Skagit River in northwestern Washington in the United States. It drains an area of the high North Cascades in the watershed of Puget Sound north of Seattle, and east of Mount Baker...
(which Sulphide Creek flows into). The trail crosses Sulphide Creek at the confluence. From there, one must proceed upstream along the wide, rocky streambed, which continues to within about 1 miles (1.6 km) of the base of the falls. Thick avalanche
Avalanche
An avalanche is a sudden rapid flow of snow down a slope, occurring when either natural triggers or human activity causes a critical escalating transition from the slow equilibrium evolution of the snow pack. Typically occurring in mountainous terrain, an avalanche can mix air and water with the...
brush prevents further access.