Washbasin Falls

Cataract Creek may harbor as many as a dozen significant waterfalls along its length between Mist Park and the confluence with the Carbon River, only the final of which is readily accessible. Not too far upstream from the lower falls - which can be seen from the old Carbon Glacier Trail - lies this pretty 24-foot tall punchbowl style fall dropping into a small churning pool. Immediately adjacent is a much smaller volume fall of the same height. Where the stream producing this neighboring fall originates from is unclear - it appears based on imagery on Google Earth that Cataract Creek actually splits into two channels about 500 feet upstream of the falls, the smaller of which would then produce the smaller segment. However there are also a few low volume tributary streams which the Wonderland Trail crosses nearby which could be the source of water for this fall as well. Either way, expect the smaller fall to run dry by the end of July in most years (it was just a trickle when we surveyed the falls). Topographic data suggests another small fall in the 10 to 15 foot tall range a short distance downstream as well (we did not have time to investigate).