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Sluiskin Falls is the best waterfall in the Paradise basin. The falls spray 155 feet down the headwall of the valley. Most sources cite the falls as dropping 300 feet. Topographic maps of the area prove this to be a physical impossibility, and I have no idea where this figure could have come from in the first place. Unfortunately, there is no way to get up close to the falls. The ravine below the falls is lined with trees, which prevent viewing the falls from below, and as off-trail travel isn’t allowed in Paradise Valley, so scrambling to the base of the falls is out of the question. The falls can be seen by looking into the Paradise Basin from almost anywhere along the Paradise Loop Road (after the visitors center parking lot). The Paradise River fluctuates greatly at this point in its run, and thus, the falls don’t appear nearly as impressive late in the year.
- SLUISKIN FALLS is the Official name of this waterfall.
Sluiskin Falls was named by General Hazard Stevens and Philemon Beecher Van Trump for Sluiskin, a local Indian who guided them on the first successful ascent of Mt. Baker on August 17, 1870.
Located in the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park. Because of the often-crowded nature of the Paradise parking lots, this waterfall is best accessed as follows. Once in Mount Rainier National Park, follow Highway 706 to the Paradise Road, and drive to the large parking area at the Paradise Lodge. Do not park here, but instead begin following the one-way Paradise Valley Road, which leaves Paradise. At the bottom of the first hill, you’ll cross the Paradise River, and immediately after is a large parking area on the right. Park here. Follow the 4th Crossing Trail, across the street from the parking area, uphill for 1/3 of a mile, to the Skyline Trail. Turn right, and proceed another 8/10 of a mile to the Paradise Glacier Trail. Stay on the Skyline Trail, and cross the Paradise River. After the trail climbs up a short hill, find any of several unguarded viewpoints looking down on the falls.
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