Viviane Falls
   Chelan County, Washington

[ Physical Makeup ]  [ Pictures ]  [ Maps ]  [ Update History ]

Viviane Falls is the largest waterfall found in the Enchantment Lakes Basin, but also one of the more difficult falls in the area to clearly see and fully appreciate. The falls are found along Snow Creek immediately below where it exits from Lake Viviane and begins its tumultuous descent to the Snow Lakes in the valley far below. At the falls, Snow Creek splits into two channels (with one running dry in the autumn months) and horsetails down a fractured granite cliff for about 200 feet. Below the main drop, the creek cascades further and some of this cascade may legitimately be considered part of the falls as well, but because there is no easy access to the bottom of the falls we were not able to determine the exact dimensions and stature on our preliminary survey.

HISTORY AND NAMING INFORMATION

• Viviane Falls is the Proposed name of this waterfall.

LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

Viviane Falls is found just downstream of Lake Viviane at the eastern end of the Enchantment Lakes Basin in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness just outside of Leavenworth. There are two primary routes into the Enchantments, both of which are long enough and strenuous enough that day hiking is discouraged for all but the strongest hikers. From the Snow Creek trailhead, located about 4.25 miles south of Highway 2 in Leavenworth along the Icicle Creek Road, it's about 9.75 miles and 5100 feet of elevation gain along the Snow Creek Trail to where the trail passes closest to the base of the falls, or if starting from the Stuart Lake trailhead, about a 9 mile hike via Colchuck Lake, Aasgard Pass (aka Colchuck Pass) and the Snow Creek Trail - which will involve 4600 feet of gain followed by almost 1500 feet of loss - to reach the same point. From the trail, a scramble up the creek about 100 vertical feet is needed to get a clear view of the falls. Additionally, be aware that between June 15th and October 15th, special issue permits are needed for all travel into the Enchantment Lakes area regardless of whether you plan on camping or just day hiking. Contact the Wenatchee National Forest ranger station in Leavenworth for more information.