Lower Riley Creek Falls

Riley Creek is a moderate volume stream which rises high up on the northwest flank of Mount Adams. As it descends down the broad slopes of the mountain, it plunges down the side of a plateau-like formation toward the fledgling Lewis River and in the process produces a series of noteworthy waterfalls. Lower Riley Creek Falls is the fourth and final of the major waterfalls encountered along this tumble (there are two more smaller waterfalls found further downstream), a sliding horsetail style fall of 35 feet set in a natural bowl-shaped depression in the canyon. The waterfalls along Riley Creek are not accessible by any trail, but the route in is not terribly difficult as far as bushwhacks go. Expect to encounter Devil's Club, crumbly decaying logs, and moderately thick Huckleberry bushes higher up near this waterfall. Good route finding skills are necessary in order to visit this waterfall, as the forest in the area is thick and doesn't allow for orienting via geographic locations.