|
Wildcat Falls is both the tallest and most impressive waterfall in the Siouxon Creek drainage, but because it occurs along a smaller stream it's also not terribly consistent and becomes substantially less impressive as summer progresses. The falls consist of three distinct drops totaling 225 feet, with the tallest and final leap dropping 124 feet itself. The upper tiers can not be seen from the base, but by continuing up the trail for about 100 feet past the spur to the base of the falls, they become visible. Between Wilcat Falls and the creek's confluence with Siouxon Creek are two additional waterfalls, one of about 25 feet tall and the other about 40 feet. Neither can be clearly seen from the trail, but the lower of the two can be accessed by scrambling upstream from near Siouxon Creek.
- Wildcat Falls is the Official name of this waterfall.
Take SR 503 to the town of Chelatchie and turn east onto NE Healy Road. Follow this road, which becomes FSR 54 after a couple miles, for 9 miles and bear left (uphill) on FSR 57 (54 turns to gravel at this point while 57 remains paved). Just over one mile further turn left onto FSR 5701 (still paved) and follow it to its end 3 3/4 miles further at the Siouxon Creek Trailhead. Hike the Siouxon Creek Trail for four miles to a junction and head left across the footbridge onto Chinook Trail #130A and follow it for another 1/4 of a mile to the bottom of Chinook Falls where the trail fords the creek. Pick up the trail on the opposite side and continue, staying straight at the junction, for another 2/3 of a mile to a ford of Wildcat Creek. Cross and pick up the trail on the opposite side then begin climbing at a more moderate rate as the trail follows Wildcat Creek's narrow ravine for another 1/3 of a mile to the base of the falls. Its a total of 5.3 miles back to the trailhead - however there is an unmarked ford of Siouxon Creek at the mouth of Wildcat Creek that can cut over 1 3/4 miles off the hike back. Do not attempt the ford any earlier in the year than June, earlier in the year the water can be thigh to waist deep and can easily knock you off your feet.
|
