Yakima Park Falls

Located near Sunrise, in Mount Rainier National Park. From the northeastern entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, follow Highway 410 south for 4 1/2 miles, and turn right towards the White River entrance station. Proceed all the way to the end of the road at Sunrise, in 16 miles. After parking, find the Emmons Vista / Silver Forest Trailhead, located at the far east end of the parking lot (marked by a brown trailhead sign). Do not follow the wide gravel road, or you will end up hiking 2 1/2 miles too much. Follow the Emmons Vista trail for a short distance, and then turn right where the signs point to the Wonderland Trail. Follow this trail for about 1/2 mile, then turn left where the Wonderland Trail drops downhill towards White River campground. Follow the Wonderland Trail another 1/2 mile downhill to the trailside falls.It seems there is an odd lack of noteworthy waterfalls in the northeastern corner of Mount Rainier National Park. Perhaps this can be attributed to the much more heavily glaciated valley of the White River, or maybe a micro rain shadow effect. Or not. There are actually plenty of waterfalls in this part of the park, they simply aren't mapped. Take this one for example. This is probably the easiest waterfall to reach from the Sunrise area, but few ever see it. Though it is on a small stream, and may dry out in drought conditions, the falls are quite scenic and worth a look when the creek has water. The falls lie on the unnamed stream which flows from Frozen Lake, and enters the White River near the White River Campground. Between Sunrise and the White River, there is a 2400 foot change in elevation, and this stream drops that far in only 1.2 miles, so logically, there should be a waterfall or seven along the way. Yakima Park Falls is the first major waterfall along this creek as it drops away from Sunrise. The falls stand about 200 feet tall, and can be seen from the Wonderland Trail a mere mile from the parking lot at Sunrise. Though the views of the mountain aren't as good as from Sourdough Ridge, any waterfall buff who visits this part of the park should take a look here, even if there isn't much water.