Sulphur Creek Falls

Sulphur Creek is a rather small and unassuming stream which drains a plateau at the southwest end of Riffe Lake, feeding into Swofford Pond before emptying into Riffe Lake itself. Just above where it enters Swofford Pond the creek hurtles into a hidden yet impressively significant canyon in the form of a rather spectacular two-stepped waterfall of 186 feet in height. The upper drop veils 104 feet to a narrow ledge in the side of the cliff, then splits into two streams which fall the remaining 82 feet to the canyon floor, creating a very eye-catching formation. Due to Sulphur Creek's smaller drainage area the falls will be greatly reduced in volume by the late summer months and one of the two segments of the lower tier of the falls will disappear at that time - but the stream should not dry out entirely. Swofford Pond and the surrounding area is part of the Cowlitz Wildlife Area, managed by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, however it is not clear whether Sulphur Creek Falls itself is within this property (we have seen indication that it may actually be on privately owned land adjacent to the WDFW tract). As of May 2014 there was no indication that accessing the falls was not allowed, but should signs appear indicating that public access is not permitted, please heed the request of the appropriate landowners.