Rock Gnome Falls

Located on Heliotrope Ridge on the north side of Mount Baker. Heading east from Maple Falls, along Highway 542, just 7/10 of a mile to Glacier Creek Road, and turn right. Follow Glacier Creek Road for 8 miles (stay right at all major roads after crossing Glacier Creek) to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead, marked by restrooms, and likely several cars. Park, and follow the moderate, but well graded trail for 1.3 miles to the falls.This is the first of many waterfalls encountered along the Heliotrope Ridge trail. The falls occur along an unnamed and apparently non-glacial stream, which limits the stream flow to low levels later in the year. The stream plunges over a 74-foot wall immediately adjacent to the trail, not far from where it crosses Kulshan Creek. Below the falls, the stream appears to cascade over some more falls. Portions of this section of the falls might be visible from a section of abandoned trail, which leaves the main trail at the first switchback as the trail parallels Kulshan Creek. Because this stream doesn't appear to be fed by the Coleman Glacier, the volume remains low late in the season. The best time to view this waterfall is shortly after the Glacier Creek road opens until the end of June.I had a hard time coming up with a name for this waterfall, but upon examining my pictures, I noticed a formation in the rocks above and to the left of the falls, which resembled a large face. For some reason or another, I was reminded of the Rock Gnome in the movie Return to Oz.