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Carter Falls is the final of the multitude of waterfalls along the cascading Paradise River. While perhaps the least interesting of the 7 named waterfalls – and countless others – the pretty 53 foot falls have certain eye-catching features, namely a natural pour spout of sorts, which funnels the water into a square groove, creating a very symmetrical column of water. It has generally been accepted which waterfall along the river is Carter Falls, but while researching the area, I have run across three separate maps which lead me to believe their may be another waterfall downstream of this location, which may have originally carried the name of Henry Carter. However, the early maps of the area aren’t drawn to any level of accuracy, so any possibility of such an occurrence will have to be determined at a later date. Furthering my curiosity, the USGS maps mark Carter Falls exactly where what I have known as Madcap Falls occurs. Whether this is accurate or not still needs to be determined.
- CARTER FALLS is the Official name of this waterfall.
Carter Falls was named sometime between 1889 and 1900, for a guide, Henry Carter, who built the first trail to the Paradise Valley.
Carter Falls is located along the Wonderland Trail approximately 1 1/3 mile east of Cougar Rock Campground or 1 3/4 mile west of Narada Falls. The trailside views are inconvenient at best, blocked by a tree or three in most places.
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