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Deer Creek is a direct tributary of the Skykomish River just west of Index. As the creek drops over the south side of the Deer Creek Plateau, it forms a substantial waterfall (in actuality, probably a series of waterfalls) as the creek splits into two distinct channels separated by about 200 linear feet. The measured portion of the west segment stands 152 feet tall. The east segment appears to be potentially taller, but is much more difficult to see and requires fording the larger channel of the creek to access. Given the smaller drainage size of Deer Creek it is very possible that the eastern segment of the falls may run dry during the summer months.
- Deer Creek Falls is the Official name of this waterfall.
Follow Highway 2 to the Index-Galena Road and drive a mile to the small town of Index, turning left and crossing the North Fork Skykomish River into the main part of town. Turn left onto Index Ave, then follow it staying right at the T-intersection where the road becomes Avenue A (which then eventually becomes Reiter Road). Follow Reiter Road, crossing the railroad tracks, to a pullout next to a gated gravel road just after crossing Deer Creek - a total of about 1.7 miles from Index-Galena Road. Signs in the area will indicate this to be part of the undeveloped Forks of the Sky State Park. Hike up the gravel road for about 500 feet, then bear to the right where a second road splits off. This rougher route will climb steeply up the hill under power lines and end at a transmission line tower about half of a mile from Reiter Road. From here follow a rough path through the brush along the top of the ridge and eventually into the woods. The falls should be partially visible to the right over the tops of the trees and can be plainly heard at this point. Once into the woods, the trail disappears but the open forest is fairly easy to navigate, though descending to the creek can be steep. Make your way down to Deer Creek and then upstream as far as desired until the falls are visible. Total walking distance is about 7/10ths of a mile from Reiter Road.
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