|
Upper Summit Creek Falls is the first waterfall in the gorge below the Summit Creek campground. The waterfall is not a terribly noteworthy feature along Summit Creek, but it is both highly visible from the trail leading to Thunder Falls and separated from Thunder Falls itself by enough distance that it needs to be cataloged separately. The falls roll over a basalt ledge, slam into the canyon wall and turn 45 degrees to the left as it slides to the pool below. The falls are viewed from an extremely narrow perch on the rim of the gorge which shouldn't be attained by children or those of unsure footing.
- Upper Summit Creek Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
- Known Alternate Names: Upper Falls
Greg Plumb's "Waterfall Lovers Guide" calls this one generically Upper Falls. It has not been known to have ever been named, so I'm disambiguating.
Located just outside Mount Rainier National Park, near Highway 12. From the junction of US 12 and SR 123, just south of the southern entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, drive east, towards White Pass, along US 12 for 1.3 miles, to Summit Creek Road #4510. Follow this road for 2 miles, staying left at all junctions, to an unmarked turnout shortly before reaching the Summit Creek Campground (just after a large rock on the left of the road. An unmarked but obvious path traverses a few hundred feet to the canyon rim where the falls can be seen.
|
