Trip Report: Panther Creek Falls and Falls Creek Falls

[Ums]

I went to check out Panther Creek falls today and continued out to Falls Creek for a short hike up to the falls.

I had read up a bit on Panther creek and it did not disappoint. There was no marked trail, and no path to the bottom of the falls but found the trail walking back from the gravel pit parking lot - its in between the parking lot and a forest road that goes uphill and there really is no sign other than an obscure wooden plank nailed to a tree. That said, there was a nice viewing platform (once you find the trail) and the falls were flowing nicely.

Falls Creek on the other hand was clearly marked and was a nice short hike up. Trail was in good condition but have to watch out for some slippery rocks here and there. My first time on this trail and it was beautiful as it runs along side the creek pretty much the whole way and there are couple of bridges with really nice views before you get to the falls.

It was cold today and snowing in both places - probably what kept people away as there was hardly anyone on the trails.

Here are some photos.

Panther creek trail head - marked for anyone else looking for it.


Panther creek sign.


The viewing platform


Falls


Road to Falls Creek Falls


Parking lot


Trail




First suspension bridge


View from the 2nd bridge - yes, its snowing.


The falls

[BrianEdwards]

Nice! Panther Creek never gets old. It looks like they've done some improvements to the Falls Creek trailhead (usually means it'll become a fee sight..) The second photo of Falls Creek Falls is a slightly different take on it. Its good to see a different perspective on familiar places from time to time. Great day of waterfall hiking

[AlexanderSupertramp]

Very nice, Ums. There is a scramble path that leads to the base of Panther Creek Falls. It is a little dicey in some spots, however.

[drm]

The Forest Service repeatedly put up road signs indicating Panther Creek Falls, each one successively more sturdy than the last, and none lasted more than a month or two. They all got destroyed and the FS seems to have given up replacing it.

[Ums]

Nice! Panther Creek never gets old. It looks like they've done some improvements to the Falls Creek trailhead (usually means it'll become a fee sight..) The second photo of Falls Creek Falls is a slightly different take on it. Its good to see a different perspective on familiar places from time to time. Great day of waterfall hiking

Thanks. Yep, the Falls Creek trail seemed was well maintained and the parking lot seemed to have been freshly graveled. They could do something more with the road that leads to it though - think winter chewed it up a bit.

There is a scramble path that leads to the base of Panther Creek Falls. It is a little dicey in some spots, however.

Yeah - you could see some sort of a path, but yes, it would literally be a "scramble" to get to it.

[Rustygoat]

Nice pictures Ums! Both of those waterfalls are beautiful. A couple of years ago I scrambled down to the bottom of Panther Creek Falls and stumbled across a wasp nest. I started running as soon as I saw them but when I slowed down I had six on my shirt. I shooed them off and kept on running but still I got stung twice. It could have been worse. Anyway...here is a picture of my last trip to Falls Creek Falls. I cant wait to get there this year on two feet..it should be a lot easier. Thanks for your TR.

[Sean Thomas]

Nice report and pictures. That's too bad about the sign being continuously destroyed.

[fettster]

Yay, love Falls Creek Falls!

[Alpenglow]

Wow, fun to see it with so much water and the extra bonus falls off to the left.
Here is what it looks like all summer.

[TJ_T]

Nice! We were there the day before and also got snowed on. It created a nice scene for this shot of Lower Panther Creek Falls: