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This is by far the most interesting of the major waterfalls of the Tye River. The river splits in two channels, drops over a small ledge followed by a crashing into a thin crevice in the bedrock, which is then is forced right at a 90 degree angle to its descent, dropping over a final smaller fall before resuming a more leisurely course. Though the falls themselves aren't comparable, the geology is very similar to that of Sol Duc Falls on the Olympic Peninsula. When the Tye is at flood stage a portion of the river overflows near the base of the falls and splits off, dropping over another 10 foot fall into what is usually a calm stagnant pool in a dark grotto just below the main falls. Unfortunately because of the angle of descent, the falls are not terribly easy to photograph, however the Forest Service has constructed a viewing platform overlooking the geological oddity so that all can see the falls in some capacity or another.
- L Falls is the Historical name of this waterfall.
- Known Alternate Names: Crack in the Ground Falls, Crack in the Earth
Photographs dating from as early as 1913 captioned this waterfall as L Falls, obviously due to its shape. It is not known whether the 1913 photograph was taken when the falls were discovered, or by whom it was taken. The falls were previously listed on this website as Crack in the Ground Falls, and are also known as Crack in the Earth.
Driving east along US 2 from Monroe, proceed approximately 10 miles past Skykomish to the signed Deception Falls picnic area, just to the west of the Bridge crossing immediately over Deception Falls. Park and find any of the trails near the creek. Walk downstream, following the signs pointed towards the Nature Loop trail. You'll cross a long wood bridge across a small fork of Deception Creek, and pass the spur leading to Monkey Cage Falls before coming to the spur to Crack in the Ground Falls another 300 feet further down the trail.
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