Feature Show Falls

Located within the Boulder River Wilderness, off of the Mountain Loop Highway between Arlington and Darrington. Drive east from Arlington along SR 530 for about 19 miles to French Creek Road # 2010, and proceed to the large parking area at the end of the road, 4 ½ miles from SR 530. Follow the easy trail for 1 ¼ miles to the falls, and a bench overlooking the scene. A steep path leads to the river at the base of the falls from the main trail.Feature Show Falls is one of the most well known waterfalls in the North Cascades. The destination of choice for the majority who hike the Boulder River trail, the falls veil down the side of scenic Boulder River Canyon for 259 feet, spraying directly into the river itself, creating one of the most eye-catching waterfalls in the North Cascades. The stream the falls occur along is unnamed, though it flows with significant volume for the majority of the year. Late in the summer, it becomes less impressive, but during the winter and spring, the side-by-side streams of water are quite impressive. Most estimates had placed the height of this waterfall at anywhere between 120 and 160 feet tall, so imagine my surprise when I measured it to be nearly twice that! The explanation is simply an issue of foreshortening - the perspective one views the falls from, even from the trail, makes it look shorter than it really is. Topographic data agrees with my measurement so I have no reason to think it inaccurate.Feature Show Falls is very often confused as Boulder Falls, which itself lies about 1/3 of a mile downstream on the Boulder River, due to Boulder Falls being marked on the USGS quadrangles and Forest Service maps, while Feature Show Falls is usually not marked. A quick look at the trail register will usually yield several visitors a day seeking out this waterfall under the impression that they have visited Boulder Falls.