Copper Lake Falls

Copper Lake Falls is located in the Foss River Drainage in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Access the falls by driving east from Skykomish along US 2 for 1.8 miles to the Foss River Road #68, and following to a junction at 4 ½ miles. Proceed left (following Road #6835) and continue to the roads end in another 2 miles at the trailhead. The falls can be found about ¼ mile downstream from Copper Lake, approximately 3 ¾ miles from the trailhead.Anyone who has hiked the Foss Lakes trail has undoubtedly stopped to stare at the incredible waterfalls draining from Copper Lake. 600 foot Malachite Falls, while not completely unobstructed, definitely steals the show, but about ¼ mile upstream is another impressive fall dropping about 140 feet over a chossy cliff. What surprised me about this one is given its size and impressiveness - the falls compare very favorably with others in the drainage - there have been remarkably few pictures posted online of the fall. Because of the rocky substrate, I'm sure this one loses much of its appeal later in the year. The upper tier looks like it should remain quite visible all year long, but the lower two tiers will probably disappear in the talus they cascade over.