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The USGS 1926 Steamboat Mountain 15-inch Quadrangle shows a waterfall marked high up in the Curly Creek drainage, just downstream of the confluence with the North Fork and Hardtime Creek. This is, strangely, the only map that has ever shown the falls, even though a heavily used logging road used to cross Curly Creek near it. After investigating the location twice, I can confirm this is not that waterfall. The aforementioned logging road used to cross less than 100 feet upstream of this cascade and since the bridge has been removed the roads end has become a fairly popular primitive camp spot. After reviewing my GPS track from my most recent visit, I found that the USGS doesn't even have the location of Curly Creek marked correct on the latest Burnt Peak quadrangle. This leads me to believe that this waterfall may have been partially altered when the former road just upstream was built, we may never know for sure.
- Upper Curly Creek Falls is the name of this waterfall.
This fall is located in the Lewis River area, east of Mt. St. Helens. From the junction of FR 99 and FR 25 (SR 503 when coming from the west) at the Pine Creek Information Station, follow FR 99 (Lewis River Road) for 4.1 miles to the newly constructed FR 51 (Curly Creek Road). Follow FR 51 uphill (signed for Carson) for 3.6 miles, and turn left onto FR 5110. Follow FR 5110 for 1/3 of a mile to it's end where it used to cross Curly Creek. You should be able to hear the falls from here. There is a faint path that follows the creek from the left side of the parking area, which leads down towards the bottom of the falls. You'll have to bushwhack a little bit to get clear views, but it's not too difficult.
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