West Quartz Creek Falls

West Quartz Creek Falls is an ethereal 126 foot plume located in a stunning yet barren canyon. Though West Quartz Creek has a modest drainage area, that it lies on the dry side of the Cascades works against the creek and causes the stream to lose most of its volume by July. Visiting the falls in April or May, one will be greeted with a roaring plunge into the abyssal canyon, but come July as one approaches the falls, the sound is so faint and muffled by the shape of the canyon that one actually has to look for the waterfall rather than listen for its whereabouts. West Quartz Creek Falls can be seen from both the canyon rim and from a more favorable angle from within the canyon. The canyon rim view is either from the side or partially obstructed and only offers complete views by getting dangerously close to the edge, while the better view requires a dangerous scramble into the canyon, so visit at your own risk.