ABOUT 16 MINUTES AWAY.

Nooksack Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in the North Cascades, as well as an essential pit stop on the way to Heather Meadows at the end of Highway 542. The falls plunge 88 feet in two segments. There has been some confusion regarding the height of the falls. Most accounts place the height at 170 feet. I have no idea where this figure initially originated, but it seems to have been propagated by Greg Plumb's "Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest". I knew this was a gross overestimate several years ago, and shortly after, I found a reference to the falls dropping 105 feet, which seemed much more reasonable, and since it's hard to gauge the height of a waterfall from the top (without a plumb line), I went with it. On a successive visit, I really slapped myself on the side of my head, because right on the kiosk at the parking area, it states the total vertical drop of the falls is 88 feet, clear as day, so that issue can finally be put to rest. The main purpose of the kiosk, however, is to detail both the history of the hydroelectric facility at the falls, and serve as a reminder to the numerous fatalities which have occurred at the falls because of people trying to get better views. Let me state right now, views from the bottom of the falls are NOT possible. Since the 1940s, at least 11 people have been killed here, most likely all were trying to get a better view of the falls. ALL of the fatalities were people between 15 and 30 years old, with the vast majority being teenagers. Please don't do anything stupid to add to this list. Additionally, the book "A Waterfall Lover's Guide to the Pacific Northwest" states that a waterfall is visible on Wells Creek next to Nooksack Falls. There is no waterfall on Wells Creek at this point, as can be plainly seen from the developed viewpoint. The lowest fall of Wells Creek is almost 3 miles upstream, so do not try anything stupid to see if there is a hidden waterfall somewhere.

Located near Mount Baker, off Highway 542. Heading east from Maple Falls, along Highway 542, proceed 7 miles east of the Glacier Ranger Station, to Wells Creek Road # 33, also signed for Nooksack Falls. Proceed 2/3 of a mile down this road to the parking area on the left, and the short trail leading to the viewpoint on the right. Do not cross the river, or you will pass the falls.

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