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Though located less than ¼ mile from the major thoroughfare through Mount Rainier National Park, this waterfall remains one of the best-kept secrets in the park. Until I was able to confirm the location of the waterfall via Terraserver, I had no idea a waterfall even existed at this location. I would honestly not be surprised if even the full time park rangers don't know of this waterfall. Logic, however, would dictate otherwise. Every stream dropping into Stevens Canyon falls over a waterfall of some sort. Sunbeam Creek, Unicorn Creek and Maple Creek all drop over the south side of the valley, while Stevens Creek is the only stream stemming from the north. This is notable because while the aforementioned streams all descend over the highly visible columnar basalt dike along the south side of the canyon, Stevens Creek through a granitic formation as it sluices towards the canyon floor, before plunging 150 feet down a final step. Pending the discovery (or rediscovery) of any major waterfalls above Highway 706, the size of this waterfall creates a coincidental staggering of the impressiveness of waterfalls along Stevens Creek, with the best falls being at the headwaters and the least impressive near the mouth. While Stevens Creek is one of the larger streams in the Park, and the falls were quite impressive when I visited in mid September, I imagine that this is easily one of the most powerful waterfalls in the park at the height of snow melt. It's almost a shame that it's so inaccessible.
- Stevens Creek Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
Stevens Creek Falls is located about ¼ mile downstream of Highway 706 in Stevens Canyon. The falls face north and are flanked on three sides by cliffs, so in order to view the falls, fording Stevens Creek downstream of the falls is necessary. The easiest method to access the falls is to walk east of the Stevens Creek Bridge and descend through the woods, parallel to the creek. If the creek is too high to ford, it may also be possible to start between Sunbeam and Stevens Creek and climb down the rib adjacent to the opposite side of the falls. This route is considerably brushier. I do not recommend visiting this waterfall unless you are exceptionally comfortable with brushy off-trail travel and fording large streams.
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