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By some arguments all the waterfalls of Black Creek could conceivably be lumped together and considered one continuous series of falls and cascades. Because there is enough flat water to separate a few of the various falls, and because accessing some is easier than others, we felt it necessary to break them up a bit. Old Spur Falls is the easiest waterfall along Black Creek to access. This waterfall occurs only about 100 feet upstream from the top of Rachor Falls itself, but because the stream is fairly level and separated in visibility from Rachor, it seemed logical to split the two apart. The falls consist of two main drops, 52 feet and 44 feet respectively. While the lower tier is easily visible from the end of the old road, the upper tier is only easily visible through the gap in the trees immediately above the lower falls and one must scramble upstream in order to see it clearly.
- Old Spur Falls is the Proposed name of this waterfall.
This waterfall has no historic name, so we have suggested the name Old Spur Falls after its relation to the decommissioned road. This waterfall has been previously referred to as Deep Canyon Falls, but after a group of us ventured into Black Creek Canyon, we determined that name didn't quite fit this particular fall.
Let us first preface that the waterfalls of Black Creek are among the most painstaking to reach in the Alpine Lakes region. Black Creek Canyon is deep, steep and very dangerous. Use your best judgment when considering a visit. Old Spur Falls itself is relatively easy to reach in comparison to the other falls along the creek. The falls are situated within the Snoqualmie Tree Farm, which is managed by Hancock Timber and as of 2012 requires an expensive recreation permit to allow public access (even for hiking or biking). From North Bend, head north on Ballarat Avenue which later becomes North Fork County Road. Just under 4 miles from town, the road forks; head left (uphill). About 3 3/4 miles later you'll reach Spur 10 Gate (on the right) where a major cross road intersects the North Fork Road. Park and hike or bike the gated road for 1 1/2 miles to a three-way junction just past the bridge over the North Fork Snoqualmie River. Head right and then stay left at the next major road. About 2 1/3 miles from the 3-way fork is an old road splitting off to the right. Its currently blocked by a massive pile of logs and forest waste and not easy to see unless you really look for it. Once you find the road, simply follow it to its end in front of the falls. Its about 1/2 mile from the drivable road to the falls, and the old road gets progressively nastier and nastier as you get closer to the falls. Its muddy, washed out in many places and overgrown (to the point of not being recognizable as a road towards the end). Plan to get wet, dirty and very scratched up.
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