Big Creek Falls

Big Creek Falls is the most accessible of the multitude of significant waterfalls found along its namesake creek as it descends from the Indian Heaven plateau to the Lewis River Canyon. The falls plunge a sheer 113 feet into a broad horseshoe-shaped amphitheater formed by alternating layers of volcanic rock, forming a picture-perfect example of a classic plunge type waterfall. A fine nature trail formerly made a short loop through a stand of surprisingly large trees adjacent to the falls, a few of which approached 10-feet in diameter. During the winter of 2012-2013 a wind storm toppled a number of these trees around the Big Creek Falls trail, including one which fell on the viewpoint and destroyed its safety railings. In following, the Forest Service surveyed the area and deemed several other trees to still be potential hazards, resulting in the trail being mothballed and effectively closed - the former parking area is now blocked off, signs have been removed, and branches and other forest debris has been placed across the beginning of the trail to obscure it's location (the rest of the trail is still in fine shape for the most part however). While there are currently no restrictions to entry, it seems that the Forest Service is taking an "enter at your own risk" attitude to the area. Whether it will ever be formally re-opened is unclear.