Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
-500.00 ft (-152.40 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
0.70 mi (1.13 km)
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Spirit Falls is world famous amongst kayakers, but that doesn’t mean it will be crowded with tourists like the other waterfalls of the gorge. A steep, unmarked and unmaintained trail down a rocky talus slope further protects the tranquility of this beautiful place. Those willing to do some searching (falls lie just north of the talus field) will be rewarded with a short scramble to an incredibly unique waterfall. The turquoise water pours 33 feet into an effervescent pool with an inaccessible cavern visible behind the falls. In all seasons except for the dead of summer, a wide thin curtain extends to lookers right, sometimes quadrupling the width of the falls.

While rain and snow will diminish the ease of access, viewing the falls during a cold snap will be rewarded with spectacular walls of icicles hanging both into the cave and along the wall facing the falls. Spring and early summer are the most likely times to see kayakers paddling over the falls, and late summer will be the most secluded time of year for the falls.

Note: Trailhead is unmarked so follow the driving directions closely and watch your odometer.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Short hike to scenic and hidden 40 ft. waterfall.

Cons

Unmarked trailhead. Trail unmaintained and difficult to follow.

Trailhead Elevation

730.00 ft (222.50 m)

Features

Waterfalls
Old-growth forest

Typically multi-day

No

Location

Comments

10/26/2014
While it can be somewhat difficult to access this falls, its unique flow and vibrantly colorful water are worth the effort!
01/19/2016
Hello Zach, We've added an alert to this adventure notifying people of the trail closure. We're hoping that a future easement arrangement may be negotiated with the landowner, and we will update this adventure when we know of anything. Thanks!
01/18/2016
Never done this hike, but tried to do it with a friend. Got to the mile 2 marker and parked in the turnout. When we started to walk up the road to the "trail head" We were stopped by an older guy that claimed it was private property.

It looked as though he was in the process of planting trees right where the trail head would have started. Not having a definitive answer and not wanting to push my luck we turned around, left and went to hike somewhere else.

Can anyone validate or disprove his claim? Id really like to go back and photograph the falls. Thanks
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