St. Louis Falls

St. Louis Falls is the major waterfall of Deer Creek. The falls consist of four distinct tiers in two sections; first sliding 17 feet into a small green pool, then sliding an additional 25 feet down a longer set of slabs. The third and fourth tiers sees the falls pitch nearly vertically, beginning almost immediately as the second set of slides ends, and falling 36 and 19 feet back-to-back. Situated all around the St. Louis Falls area are remnants of the long abandoned St. Louis Mine, the construction of which was responsible for the current trail which leads down to the falls. Though the trail is pretty obvious throughout its length, it isn't maintained and has fallen into significant disrepair more recently. A foot log formerly spanning Deer Creek between the two sliding sections of the falls is now entirely gone (necessitating a ford of Deer Creek to see the lower section of the falls), and small wooden bridges which span a tributary stream just beyond Deer Creek are collapsing. While the falls are moderately easy to access, use extra caution when traversing such obstacles. Because of this, we felt it prudent to categorize this entry hike as an easy bushwhack rather than a hike, even though it is fairly easy to access.The three adits of the St. Louis Mine can be found both above and below the falls - one before reaching the creek, one immediately to the left of the upper part of the falls, and one next to the bottom of the falls. The trail leading down to the falls was initially built to access the mine, and along its length are many relics of the operation - mine cart rails lead out of the upper tunnel, old puncheon and bridges span small streams, the landing for an old shelter is visible near the lower part of the falls, and some rusted relics lay scattered about as well. Hopefully we don't have to say this, but the mine shafts are extremely dangerous, and you should not attempt to enter any of them. The upper shaft is about three-quarters collapsed (as of June 2013), the middle shaft is entirely flooded, and debris has recently fallen over the entrance to the lower tunnel, potentially making its entrance unstable. All three can be observed from the outside easily, but should not be entered.