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This is the larger of two waterfalls along Quartz Creek in the vicinity of Forest Road 26 in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The falls drop a total of 96 feet in a long, twisting cascade that is, unfortunately, covered with debris. The falls start by fluming down a narrow trough at an angle that can't be seen unless one crosses the creek, then it turns 90 degrees and cascades down a 47 foot tall three-stepped ledge. Like its downstream sibling the falls are being heavily encroached by brush but it appears a recent avalanche ripped some of the growth out (which all got piled below the falls), making it a little more visible. Its still not a great waterfall, but good for a short adventure for those interested.
- Middle Quartz Creek Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
This waterfall can be found where FR 26 makes a sharp hairpin turn next to Quartz Creek about 1 1/2 miles north of the Ryan Lake interpretive site in Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. At the turn, listen for the falls and find a window in the trees leading in a north-easterly direction. The creek is no more than 50 feet away and the falls are audible from the road but it takes a little scrambling to attain a good view. FR 26 has a long history of being ravaged by floods and slides and has been more often than not closed over the past 15 years. As of 2008 it is open from the Randle side but not from the Windy Ridge side.
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