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This pretty 80-foot waterfall is one of the better waterfalls in the American River valley east of Chinook Pass. Mesatchee Creek has cut a rather substantial canyon as it flows down the side of the well-sculpted glacial valley, creating several waterfalls along its journey. This is the final major drop, where the creek skips down a jagged face and into a rather desolate ravine. The forest opens up quite nicely around the falls and in addition to the falls, views out over the valley with Mount Rainier looming in the background are well worth the hike.
- Mesatchee Creek Falls is the Adopted name of this waterfall.
Located near Chinook Pass, off Highway 410, east of Mount Rainier National Park. On Highway 410, proceed 6 3/4 miles east of Chinook Pass to the marked Mesatchee Creek Trailhead. Follow the access road to its end and park. The trail, commonly used for stock travel, follows an old roadbed for the first mile. Where the trail intersects another road, keep straight, and follow the middle path at the second parking area (it is also possible to park here to cut off 2/3 of a mile of walking if you can find the right spur off 410). The trail then crosses Morse Creek and then runs into the American River at 1.2 miles. There is no bridge, and though fording is possible, the river is rather deep here. A logjam just downstream provides a dry crossing. Once across, keep straight at the next junction, and start climbing uphill, reaching trailside viewpoints of the falls in just under 2 miles from the trailhead.
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