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The upper Rock Creek basin harbors a significant number of waterfalls thanks to the prolific amount of basalt in the area, but many of them are quite difficult to access. The significant but unnamed stream which drains the northeast side of Three Corner Rock harbors three major waterfalls in quick succession which are among the easier falls in the area to access. The 53 foot tall plunge of Lower Three Corner Falls is the most directly and easily accessed of the trio, situated at the back of a straight and narrow gully with a sheer-cliff amphitheater at its head.
The unnamed stream which produces the falls is considerably more significant than it appears on maps, which bodes well for those who wish to visit the falls during the summer months and not just see a trickle of water. But as the journey to the falls involves several potential stream fords in order to take the path of least resistance, expect to encounter pools potentially up to thigh deep when hiking to the falls (though for the most part the deepest water can be avoided).
- Lower Three Corner Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
Because the stream has no known name, we've chosen to call its falls after Three Corner Rock from which it drains. This name has perhaps a serendipitous secondary meaning as well, as the stream makes three sharp turns in between and below each of the three falls in the canyon.
Lower Three Corner Falls is located in Yacolt Burn State Forest, northeast of Stevenson on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. Take Highway 14 one mile west of Stevenson to Rock Creek Drive (also signed as Second Street or Foster Creek Road in some places) and turn north, passing the Skamania Lodge and Resort (use this as a landmark for the proper turnoff). In three-quarters of a mile, turn left onto Ryan Allen Road. Follow this road for about a mile, then turn left onto Red Bluff Road, which eventually becomes Rock Creek Road. Follow this gravel road - usually in good condition pothole wise - for 7.1 miles (staying left where a road drops to the right about 2 ½ miles in) to a bridge over Rock Creek. Immediately after crossing the bridge, bear left and climb up the steep road for about 500 feet to a sharp switchback and park on the left (if you hit the large clear cut you've gone too far). Find the path of least resistance and drop down the hill to the creek and then simply follow it upstream until you hit the falls. The route down the hill is moderately brushy but once you hit the creek it's possible to rock-hop most of the way to the falls. Chances are you will have to get your feet wet (especially in the spring). The total length of the bushwhack is about one third of a mile.
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