Walupt Creek Falls

At its confluence with the Cispus River, Walupt Creek drops 221 feet over a basalt rim in an awe-inspiring waterfall. Instead of a straight drop through the rimrock, the waterfall appears to come from three directions before careening into a steep washout that runs down to the clear and shallow banks of the Cispus River below. The best viewpoint of the falls is on a narrow rock outcropping across the banks of the Cispus River.

This waterfall is remote, and access is challenging since no trail leads directly to it. Short and steep, Trail 7A leads down to the Cispus River before seemingly disappearing at the river's banks. From here one option is to ford the Cispus River, which in July was still running with considerable volume and was thigh to waist deep in sections. The other option is to bushwhack downriver through wooded thickets until finding a downed tree on which to cross. Either option presents its challenges, as the slippery tree crossing was over a small rapid, making the risk of falling into the river that much more undesirable.

Once across the river, the only way to reach the waterfall back upriver requires a bit more bushwhacking along with scrambling up a few hillsides and across a scree field. In all, the roughly half-mile trip from the end of the trail to the waterfall takes some creativity, perseverance and careful navigation. But it's worth it, for Walupt Creek Falls is a truly stupendous waterfall, highlighting this arduous short hike and making it into a real adventure.