Hard Scrabble Falls

Unfortunately, due to increased and irresponsible activities of late at the falls, the landowner has asked that directions to this waterfall be removed. Please be respectful of the landowner's rights and do not trespass to visit this waterfall.Hard Scrabble Falls is a low volume but rather lofty waterfall dropping approximately 280 feet into the Van Zandt valley in three tiers - a stairstep fall of about 160 feet, followed by two drops of about 60 feet each, with the final drop being separated from the other two by about 200 linear feet. The falls depend largely on precipitation and have been known to dry out completely in the late summer. Part of the falls can be seen from Highway 9 in the vicinity of Clipper Road when they are flowing well, but during the dry season are reduced to essentially a stain on the rock. Hard Scrabble Falls are located on private land which the landowner specifically acquired in order to preserve the falls from development, and until recently had been accessible to the public. However in recent years there has been an increase in irresponsible activity at the falls, including partying, littering, target shooting and worse. In response to this, the landowner has decided to close the falls to public access out of necessity to preserve the area from further degradation and destruction. Please respect this closure and do not attempt to visit this waterfall.According to the USGS, the name White Eagle Falls has also been attached to this feature. However, it is possible that the lower and upper tiers have been recognized as two different waterfalls - one being Hard Scrabble Falls and the other White Eagle Falls. This is purely speculation at this point, so it will be assumed until proven otherwise that White Eagle is simply an alternate name. Hard Scrabble Falls Gulch and Creek was named in 1860 by a group of settlers who spent 4 days scrambling 8 miles from Lake Whatcom over Stuart Mountain to the valley below the falls.