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The presence of this waterfall is fairly obvious, considering it's proximity to a major highway, so I'm quite surprised it isn't better known. The small, unnamed branch of the South Fork of Clear Creek crosses under the highway by means of a small cascade, before plunging 104 feet into an otherworldly canyon that conjures visions of hellish dimensions. Due to lack of volume, the falls themselves aren't terribly impressive, but being located just a stone's throw away from the highway, the view of the canyon is worth a stop all by itself. Casual passersby will are encouraged to pass this one up due to the short scramble necessary and head to nearby Clear Creek Falls instead, but waterfall collectors will undoubtedly be drawn to this waterfall. During higher flows, the falls may take on a segmented or curtain form (depending on how debris has gathered at its brink).
- Devils Maw Falls is the Proposed name of this waterfall.
- Known Alternate Names: Clear Creek Fork Falls, South Clear Creek Falls, Upper South Fork Falls
I had previously called this waterfall South Clear Creek Falls, rather than Upper South Fork Falls as suggested in "A Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest" (successive updates by the author of which have dubbed this fall "Clear Creek Fork Falls"). However, with the "discovery" of at least one significant fall along the true South Fork of Clear Creek, about ½ a mile south of here, neither name works very well for this location. As mentioned above, I've called this waterfall such because the barren canyon looks like some sort of portal to a landscape straight out of the game Doom.
Located near White Pass, just off of Highway 12. From the summit at White Pass, follow US 12 east for just over a mile to a bridge over the small creek, with a small waterfall on the opposite side of the road. Park on the east side of the creek, and walk 100 yards to the rim of the canyon and views of the falls. The ground in this area is absolutely saturated with gravel and sand - a byproduct of plowing and sanding the highway in the winter for access to the ski areas - so travel to the canyon rim is a piece of cake. The slopes are a little unstable near the rim of the canyon, so stay off anything that looks precarious.
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