Upper Sulphur Creek Falls

Sulphur Creek harbors several small but pretty waterfalls where it has carved a twisting gorge into the broad Sulphur Creek basalt formation that permeates the Rocky and Sulphur Creek drainages. Those visiting the Schriebers Meadows area have no doubt glanced at the pretty gorge along Sulphur Creek upstream from the bridge, but just 700 feet downstream lies a much more scenic stretch where this 23-foot fall plunges into a narrow grotto. As of May 2011 there were unfortunately a few logs lying across the falls which makes taking good pictures from multiple angles quite a bit more difficult, but the area is nonetheless quite scenic. While Sulphur Creek is a remarkably consistent stream thanks to the extensive snow and glacier melt from Mount Baker, it has been partially diverted to the nearby Koma Kulshan Powerhouse and as a result has its average volume reduced by perhaps one-third (the capacity of the Koma Kulshan system is 121 cfs, and most of that comes from Rocky Creek). This seems to actually be a benefit in the case of Sulphur Creek as the falls do not overwhelm with spray and the bedrock is more exposed than it might otherwise be, allowing easier access in some areas.