Taitnapum Falls

Taitnapum Falls is found along the upper reach of the Lewis River Trail near Mount Adams. Find the upper trailhead to the Lewis River Trail about 2 3/4 miles east of the Lower Falls Recreation Area along FR 90 (immediately before crossing Quartz Creek). The falls are found just over 1/3 mile downstream.Taitnapum Falls is the uppermost of the four major waterfalls in this stretch of the Lewis River. The river drops 16 feet over an undercut ledge then flows down a very scenic canyon punctuated by several small slides and cascades. Unfortunately the falls can't be seen in entirety due to the steep canyon walls and surrounding trees, but being the smallest of the major waterfalls on the Lewis River, its not a big loss.Taitnapum is a variation of Taidnapam, the name applied to a faction of the Cowlitz people who lived along the upper drainages of the Cowlitz basin. Taidnapam also appears to identify a specific type of habitation along a river only associated with the Cowlitz people of the area.