Lower Lewis River Falls (Steve Hart)

Middle Lewis River Falls (Steve Hart)

Upper Lewis River Falls (Steve Hart)

• Start point: Lower Lewis River Falls Trailhead
• End point:Taitnapum Falls
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Hike Type: Out and back
• Distance: 6.6 miles
• Elevation gain: 320 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Seasons:Year round
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: Yes
• Crowded: Yes

Hike Description

This is one of the premier waterfall hikes in our area.

From the Lower Lewis River Falls Trailhead make your way down any of the use paths to views of Lower Falls. The trail on the edge of the bluff is the Lewis River Trail (#31). Walk to the right as far as you like for different views of the waterfall. There are dozens of different segments and literally hundreds of vastly different photographic possibilities. There are a couple of informal side paths that lead to the river for views at water level. When you've had your fill of Lower Falls head back up the Lewis River Trail.

Continue past the trailhead and the restrooms. This first part of the trail travels through the large campground and is quite busy. There are lots of use paths, but if you stay right, you can't go wrong. Soon you'll climb a small hill to the edge of the campground. There's a sign here marking the Lewis River Trail. Continue east up the hill and head upriver.

The trail soon passes quite near FR 90 and you may hear and see cars. After a bit though the trail drops away from the road and crosses a seasonal waterfall on small footbridge. The concrete remains of Sheep Bridge are soon visible in the river far below. Next you'll come to a couple of trails coming from the left, first the Wright Meadows Trail, the second the Middle Falls Trail. Both of these trails provide alternate access from FR 90.

Next comes a bridge over Copper Creek. Copper Creek flows under the bridge and immediately slides over a block of basalt forming Lower Copper Creek Falls. Walk about 100 feet farther and you'll find a rough path leading back to the base of the waterfall. During low water, you can walk out on the rocks from this same place, to get a good view of Middle Falls. Returning to the trail, there's a good view of Middle Falls from a switchback.

The trail switches up the hill here a bit to another junction with the Middle Falls Trail. Copper Creek Falls is about 1/4 mile up this trail. Back on the main trail you'll walk about a mile to the base of Upper Falls. There's a lot of alder growing up here, but you'll see a steep path that goes to the river bank and allows unobstructed view of the falls.

The next part of the trail is a steep climb, but the climb is short and the rewards are great. The trail works up the side of the Alec Creek Canyon gaining about 150 feet in a quarter mile. Then the trail heads back along the top of the bluff. Look for the signed side trail on the right - it goes steeply down to impressive Upper Falls Viewpoint.

The last waterfall is the smallest of the bunch, but it's only a 1/4 mile, so it's worth the trip. This is Taitnapum Falls. There's no access to the river here, so your only view is the from the trail. You may continue another 2/3 of a mile to the end of the trail at upper trailhead on FR 90. Return the way you came, or if you are doing this as a hike and bike, continue to the Upper Lewis River Trailhead to retrieve your bike.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder

Regulations or restrictions, etc

• Northwest Forest Pass required at Lower Falls Recreation Area

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Lewis River

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Lewis River

Guidebooks that cover this hike

More Links

• See more information at Describe the link here

Contributors

• Stevefromdodge (creator)