Middle 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. Middle Riley Creek Falls is the second waterfall encountered along this tumble, an 88-foot tall horsetail type fall which swooshes slightly to the right as it falls. Below the falls the stream cascades over logs and boulders at a moderately steep grade, which allows the falls to loom over the surrounding landscape and presents itself as a bit more substantial than the numbers actually let on. Additionally because of the grade of the land below the falls, viewing the falls up close from the base results in significant foreshortening of the falls, so the best views are from further back. 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.