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This is the first of the plethora of waterfalls encountered along the Silver Creek trail. This is the most scenic of the falls along the trail between Mineral City and the trailhead. This waterfall is encountered just after the large slide area which wiped out the old road back in the early 70's. Great views of the very scenic Silver Creek Gorge can be had from the slide area, and along the trail from here to Lockwood Falls. In between the slide and Pole Falls is an old mine shaft (part of the Pole Mining Claim after which I have named the falls). Don't enter for your own safety, these mines are over 100 years old. During the summer, these falls run dry and the rating shifts downward accordingly.
- Pole Falls is the name of this waterfall.
This waterfall is currently inaccessible due to flood damaged roads. Turn off of US 2 at the Index - Galena Road and drive roughly 8 miles to Howard Creek. Just beyond the bridge, turn left on a poorly marked road crossing the North Fork Skykomish River on a concrete bridge. Very shortly after the bridge, turn right on a cruddy road and drive as far as you can. 4wd vehicles can likely make the end of the road, but your Honda Accord probably won't be able to get over the 2 large berms. If you park before the end of the road, it's about 1 1/2 miles from the bridge over the river to the trailhead. Once you reach the trailhead, immediately cross a .25 mile slide area which destroyed the road completely. No more than 500 feet beyond you'll round the corner to the falls.
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