Chenuis Falls

Located within the Carbon River area of Mt. Rainier National Park. Drive south from Enumclaw along Highway 410 to just past Buckley to Highway 165, marked for Carbonado, Wilkeson and Mt. Rainier. Follow this road for 16 miles to the Carbon River Entrance Station of Mt Rainier National Park where the road has been closed due to extensive washouts. Hike or bike the former road for another 3 1/2 miles to the signed trailhead for Chenuis Falls on the left. The trail crosses the ever-shifting Carbon River, and proceeds for 1/5 mile across the flood plain to the base of the falls. The upper parts of the falls can be reached by following the trail further upstream and heading towards the creek at each of the switchbacks close to the water. The upper tiers are not nearly as easy to see and the effort may not be worth the reward for many.Chenuis Creek cascades down a steep series of ledges, separated by small, deep green pools. The falls are located across the valley from the Carbon River Road (now closed) and require crossing the wide, ever changing riverbed of the Carbon River on log bridges which are usually washed out and replaced every year. From the base of the falls the 168 foot lower slides are visible, with the two upper tiers - 94 and 25 feet respectively - only being visible individually. In the spring, the creek covers the entire width of the bedrock slides, but late in the summer, it's possible to climb down to the pools between the steps of the falls for a quick dip.