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Hundreds of people drive along US 2 every day (probably thousands), and most likely everyone of them has missed this pretty falls, literally just seconds from the road. Many unnamed creeks cross under US 2 between Skykomish and Index, and as I have just recently found out, more than one have significant drops along them. This one is most likely the most obvious (though you need to be looking for it). The falls drop parallel to the highway, and are set back a little bit in a recess shaded by trees on either side, so unless you are actually looking for the falls, you'll likely miss it. There is no trail leading to the falls, but the bushwhack is easy, crossing through open forest and a few sticker bushes that are easily avoided. One small creeklet must be hopped, but nothing a rabbit couldn't handle. The falls likely flow year round, but become significantly less impressive in the late summer.
- Klinger Grotto Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
Neither the stream or waterfall is known to have any name, so I've named the falls for the two mountains the stream drains from - Klinger Ridge and Grotto Mountain.
Heading east along US 2 you will come to the Hamlet of Grotto, about 10 miles from Index. Continue past Grotto for about 1 mile to a tunnel just beyond the signed turn for Money Creek Campground and the Miller River Road. 4/10 of a mile beyond there is a bridge with a small amount of parking room on both the left and right side on the west side of the bridge (this is the second bridge past the tunnel). Park, cross the highway and climb up the gravel embankment and proceed upstream (though staying away from the stream) for less than .1 mile to the falls. You will have to cross a little stream about 1/2 way.
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