Name of Waterfall

Shelter Falls

Description

Shelter Falls is the final waterfall along the South Fork of Whychus Creek, and the last of the nine waterfalls in the area that I visited. While compared to many of the others in the area, the falls aren't nearly as impressive, but this one is just as pretty as all the others, if not more so than some. The South Fork drops over a small ledge in a thickly wooded area before veiling 40 feet over an undercut basalt formation. When visiting the falls, shortly before encountering the waterfall, the remains - or leftovers waiting to be rebuilt perhaps - of a lean-to shelter were encountered, which prompted my naming of the falls. While this definitely isn't a spot that is heavily traveled, it is close enough to the main trail that seeing evidence of other people's trekking shouldn't be unexpected.I've suggested this name for the falls because of the presence of a notable lean-to shelter which has been built in the area. This waterfall is listed in the appendix of Greg Plumb's "Waterfall Lovers Guide" as Lower South Fork Falls.

Other Names

['Lower South Fork Falls']

Magnitude

49.22

IWC Rating (International Waterfall Classification)

1.91

Total Height (ft)

40

Number of Drops

1

Average Width

30

Average High Volume (Cubic ft per second)

150 cfs

Average Low Volume (Cubic ft per second)

0 cfs

Pitch

90 degrees

Run (ft)

5

Watershed or Feeder Stream

Deschutes River South Fork Whychus Creek