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The East Fork of the Miller River produces a rather uniquely shaped cataract as it tumbles over a jagged ledge within a modest canyon hidden from view from the nearby roads. The river bends sharply to the east as it approaches the falls, and then upon pooling at its brink splits into two channels, the easterly plunging down a narrow chasm and then stepping down two smaller churning punchbowl-style drops, while the westerly segment spreads out and veils down the face of the cliff in a rugged cascade. The two segments are configured in a way that they effectively fall at 90 degree angles to one another, which makes viewing the falls slightly difficult (without modest scrambling). Framing the falls on either side are cliffs which rise at least 75-100 feet out of the river, and visible above and upstream of the falls the imposing cliffs on the east side of Cascade Mountain provide a stunning backdrop to the falls.
- Miller River Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
- Known Alternate Names: East Fork Falls
This waterfall is not known to have ever been named in any sort of official or colloquial sense, but given the extensive history of industrial activity (mining, etc) in the Miller River basin we would not be surprised if it was named at one point. Unofficially the falls have been referred to as East Fork Falls and Miller River Falls - we chose to run with the later simply because it's a less generic title.
Miller River Falls is located in the Miller River Valley near the town of Skykomish, south of Highway 2. Turn off Highway 2 onto the Old Cascade Highway at signs pointing to Money Creek Campground, which is just under 3 miles west of Skykomish. After a mile turn right onto the Miller River Road and follow it for 6.3 miles and park along the road where space allows. The trail to the falls is very difficult to spot from the road and may or may not be marked with flagging tape. If you find the right area, enter the woods and walk towards the river - keeping the uphill side of the terrain on your right at all times (if you find the hill on your left, you're in the wrong place) and the trail should be easily encountered as it parallels the river (if you hit the river, follow it downstream). The trail leads to a campsite at the top of the falls in about 500 feet. To view the falls it's necessary to scramble down to its base, which may involve traversing a steep hillside which faces the falls.
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