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Middle Sulphur Creek Falls
   Whatcom County, Washington

[ Physical Makeup ]  [ Pictures ]  [ Maps ]  [ Update History ]

Sulphur Creek harbors several small but pretty waterfalls where it has carved a twisting gorge into the broad Sulphur Creek basalt formation that permeates the Rocky and Sulphur Creek drainages. Those visiting the Schriebers Meadows area have no doubt glanced at the pretty gorge along Sulphur Creek upstream from the bridge, but downstream lies a much more scenic stretch where multiple modest waterfalls can be found. This two-stepped fall of 15 and 4 feet is the second one encountered as one walks down along the creek. The upper tier splits into two segments and plunge side-by-side into a narrow grotto, followed by a broad lower tier which spills into a deep pool. Unfortunately the depth of this pool in conjuction with the sheer cliffs on either side of the creek prevent closer access.

While Sulphur Creek is a remarkably consistent stream thanks to the extensive snow and glacier melt from Mount Baker, it has been partially diverted to the nearby Koma Kulshan Powerhouse and as a result has its average volume reduced by perhaps one-third (the capacity of the Koma Kulshan system is 121 cfs, and most of that comes from Rocky Creek). This seems to actually be a benefit in the case of Sulphur Creek as the falls do not overwhelm with spray and the bedrock is more exposed than it might otherwise be, allowing easier access in some areas.

HISTORY AND NAMING INFORMATION

  • Middle Sulphur Creek Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.

LOCATION AND DIRECTIONS

easy access

From Highway 20, follow the Baker Lake Road for just over 12 miles to FSR 12 (signed for Schriebers Meadows and Mount Baker Recreation Area) and turn left. Proceed another 2.1 miles along FSR 12 to the bridge over Sulphur Creek and park. Enter the woods on the south side of Sulphur Creek and follow the creek downstream for about 1/3 of a mile to where the falls are visible. In order to get clear views is necessary to scramble down to the rocky streambed just downstream of the falls.

Latitude

48.67077 N

Longitude

-121.72829 W

Elevation

1420 feet

USGS Quadrangle

Welker Peak 7 1/2"

Online USGS Topographic maps on Terraserver

Aerial Photographs: Terraserver | Flash Earth

Download KML

Open this location in Google Earth

OTHER NEARBY WATERFALLS

Name

Distance

Sulphur Creek Falls

0.146 miles

Upper Sulphur Creek Falls

0.176 miles

Sandy Creek Falls

1.631 miles

Lower Sulphur Creek Falls

1.812 miles

County Line Falls

2.773 miles

Little Sandy Creek Falls

4.054 miles

Unnamed Waterfall

4.964 miles

Lower Anderson Creek Fall...

5.037 miles

Unnamed Waterfall

5.64 miles

Laplash Falls

5.809 miles

 

 

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Magnitude

28.82

IWC

1.17  (Class 2)

RATING

28.65 %

 

Photo of Middle Sulphur Creek Falls

[ View Pictures ]

 

PHYSICAL MAKEUP

Height

19 feet

Tallest Drop

14 feet

Num. Drops

2

AVG. Width

25 feet

Pitch

85 degrees

Run

35 feet

Primary Form

Tiered Plunges

 

Watershed

Skagit River

Stream

Sulphur Creek

AVG. Volume

50.0 cfs

Source

Glacier

Seasonality

12 months

Best Flows

Year Round

 
 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Search for Middle Sulphur Creek Falls on Google

Information on this waterfall at the World Waterfall Database

Search for more pictures at:
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UPDATE HISTORY

Sep 17, 2011

Posted a full survey report about this waterfall

 
 
 
 
 

 

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