Curly Creek Falls Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Curly Creek Falls Trailhead
- End point: Miller Creek Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and back
- Distance: 0.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 10 feet
- High point: 1,250 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Spring through Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This short hike takes you to two waterfalls on the Lewis River. Curly Creek Falls, which can run dry in the summer, boasts two natural arches. A little farther on, Miller Creek Falls spouts into a natural amphitheater. Spring is the best time to see both of these waterfalls.
Hike down the trail in a carpet of moss and salal under Douglas-firs and hemlocks. At the junction with the Lewis River Trail go right to reach the viewpoint for Curly Creek Falls. These falls tumble under/over two basalt arches, but its best to visit in spring or early summer when water levels are substantial. The lower arch can only be seen when water levels are quite low.
Continue down the wide trail to the viewing platform for Miller Creek Falls, which spout into an amphitheater on the south bank of the Lewis River. These falls are partially hidden by the maples and Douglas-firs in front of the viewing area. A use trail winds through the salal from here and then extends steeply down to the Lewis River to a gaging station if you want further exploration.
For a longer hike, turn upstream on the Lewis River Trail #31 (see the Lewis River Traverse Hike).
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Lone Butte, WA #365
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument & Administrative Area
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
- Adventure Maps: Hood River, Oregon, Trail Map
- Adventure Maps: 44 Trails Area plus the best of the G.P.N.F.
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount St. Helens - Mt. Adams
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- Dogs on leash
- $3 toll each way at the Bridge of the Gods
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Curly Creek Falls
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Curly Creek Falls
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Hiking Washington's Goat Rocks Country by Fred Barstad
- Best Short Hikes in Washington's South Cascades & Olympics by E.M. Sterling & Ira Spring
- Day Hiking: Mount St. Helens by Craig Romano & Aaron Theisen
- Day Hiking: South Cascades by Dan A. Nelson & Alan L. Bauer
- Hiking Waterfalls in Washington by Roddy Scheer with Adam Sawyer
- Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest by Gregory A. Plumb
- Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest by David L. Anderson
More Links
- Curly Creek and Miller Falls Trail #31A (Summit Post)
- Curly Creek (Washington Trails Association)
- Trailhead: Curly Creek Falls (USFS)
- Curly Creek Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
- Miller Creek Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)