Lucia Falls Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Lucia Falls Trailhead
- End point: Lucia Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 1.1 miles
- Elevation gain: 90 feet
- High point: 485 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Year round
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
Lucia Falls is a 15-foot waterfall that pours through channels in a rock ledge into a large plunge pool. Steelhead may be observed leaping the falls at certain times of the year. A short loop trail leads around a pleasant 24-acre county park with several good views of the East Fork Lewis River. The falls are at their mightiest during the wet season, but after the snow melt the river flow is much reduced. This short outing is usually complemented with excursions to Moulton Falls and Yacolt Falls, not far upriver.
From the parking lot, start down the paved path, and bear left at a junction under cedars and Douglas-firs with some rhododendrons augmenting a park-like setting. When you reach a watershed information sign at a junction, you can see the river and Lucia Falls down to the right. However, to continue the loop, keep left and then left again at a restroom building (which is kept closed in the winter). The trail passes a pumphouse and rises on a gravel surface in woods below Lucia Falls Road. The path then drops to reach a fence along Hantwick Road and curves around. (You can pass around the end of the fence and cross the river to reach the Hantwick Road Trailhead to begin the Moulton Falls Hike.) Salal forms the understory. The East Fork Lewis River runs merrily below, and homes line the opposite bank of this small gorge. The path approaches a mossy, rocky bluff studded with oak trees. Signs ask visitors to make no water contact to protect salmon spawning activities. A loop spur leads left to the top of the bluff and then descends to the main trail. There are some picnic tables set out with a view of 15-foot Lucia Falls. Down the slope, some spurs lead out to the rocks for closer views and opportunities for scrambling about in the summer. (Remember - no swimming permitted!) The trail continues to a viewpoint down the river and then heads up to the parking area.
There's an additional short trail from the back of the parking area. From behind the old restaurant building, a trail leads down to a junction. Going left, you'll reach a wooden platform with a picnic table and open views of the river. Going right from the junction, a short trail heads downriver under a cedar canopy to cross a creek over a footbridge. There’s a grassy field here and a port-a-potty as well as access to the river. At the footbridge, a trail leads up past a house to the parking area.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- Park open 7:00 a.m. to dusk
- Dogs on leash
- Restrooms, picnic area
- Swimming is not permitted because of sensitive fish habitat
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Lucia Falls
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Lucia Falls
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Urban Trails: Vancouver by Craig Romano
- The Disabled Hiker's Guide to Western Washington and Oregon by Syren Nagakyrie
- Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest by Gregory A. Plumb
More Links
- Lucia Falls Regional Park (Clark County)
- Lucia Falls (Hike It Baby)
- Lucia Falls (Washington Trails Association)
- Lucia Falls Park (LewisRiver.com)
- Lucia & Moulton Falls Parks (wanderingyuncks)
- Lucia Falls Regional Park (All Trails)
- Lucia Falls Park (Visit Vancouver USA)
- "Chasing waterfalls around Clark County" (The Columbian)
- Lucia Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)