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This 33 foot cataract is the widest of the multitude of waterfalls along the Lewis River. The falls spread out over a broad bedrock sheet then crash sideways into a trough, half of the falls plunging straight down in a horseshoe and half sliding down the bedrock. From one end to the other the falls are almost 300 feet wide. Unfortunately the trailside view of the falls, while interesting, doesn't allow the best vistas, so climbing out on the wet rocks next to the river is necessary. It is safe, but can be slick and the river is very deep immediately below the falls, so don't push yourself to go someplace your not comfortable (and certainly don't try getting on the rocks when the river is high).
- Middle Lewis River Falls is the Official name of this waterfall.
The Forest Service and USGS refers to this simply as Middle Falls, but pretty much every guidebook its ever been mentioned in have it listed as either Middle Lewis Falls or Middle Lewis River Falls and the precedent goes back decades.
Located along the Middle Lewis River Falls trail system, southwest of Mt. Adams, off of Lewis River Road # 90. Drive east of Lower Lewis Falls Recreation area for 1 miles to the Middle Lewis Falls parking lot. Two trails depart the parking lot, leading down to Middle Lewis River Falls in 1/2 mile. The lower trail descends to the Lewis River trail, from where you'll head upstream, across Copper Creek, to the Middle Falls. The upper trail crosses Copper Creek above Copper Creek Falls, then descends directly to the Middle Falls.
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