Are there fees or permits required for Upper Ziggurat Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit Upper Ziggurat Falls.

Is swimming allowed at Upper Ziggurat Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Upper Ziggurat Falls.

Nearby gauge (Fitzsimmons Creek) · 1.2 m³/s · Much lower than usual

Upper Ziggurat Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Upper Ziggurat Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at Upper Ziggurat Falls.

British Columbia

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

Difficulty

Hard

About Upper Ziggurat Falls

Upper Ziggurat Falls is on Ziggurat Creek, a tributary of the Green River east of Highway 99 between Whistler and Pemberton. OpenStreetMap shows an informal Upper Ziggurat Falls Trail rated demanding, with poor trail visibility. No published description of the falls or the route was found.

Why This Waterfall Exists

Upper Ziggurat Falls flows over hard intrusive rock laid down about 66-145 million years ago. These resistant rocks form a durable ledge that water cannot easily wear away, creating the falls where softer material downstream has already eroded.

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Mystery Falls (100 m) lies 3.4 kilometres to the northeast.

Mystery Falls

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

OpenStreetMap maps an informal Upper Ziggurat Falls Trail, rated demanding mountain hiking with very poor trail visibility, and notes missing flagging on the neighbouring Lower Ziggurat Falls Trail. Expect route-finding on steep ground.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Upper Ziggurat Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at Upper Ziggurat Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring to early summer for highest flows (snowmelt). Late summer and early fall may offer lower flows but easier road access in dry years. Winter access can be hazardous or impossible due to snow and ice; roads may be closed or impassable.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with the managing park or local authority for current conditions.

Safety Information

Unofficial, poorly marked trail on steep canyon terrain; a warning sign about standing dead trees is posted nearby.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 2 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the Water Survey of Canada gauge on Fitzsimmons Creek, 10.2 km away, not on Upper Ziggurat Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

1.2 m³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

Much lower than usual for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

1.5 1.9 3.3 4.2

Based on 30 years of record

5.55 m

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

FITZSIMMONS CREEK BELOW BLACKCOMB CREEK

WSC 08MG026

10.2 km from waterfall

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the WSC gauge FITZSIMMONS CREEK BELOW BLACKCOMB CREEK (10 km away).

Moderate confidence

Barely Flowing right now

1.2 m³/s

→ Holding steady

Today

Barely Flowing

1.2 m³/s

4/10

Tomorrow

Barely Flowing

1.2 m³/s

4/10

Sat

Barely Flowing

1.2 m³/s

3/10

Sun

Low

1.3 m³/s

4/10

Mon

Barely Flowing

1.2 m³/s

4/10

Tue

Barely Flowing

1.2 m³/s

4/10

Wed

Barely Flowing

1.2 m³/s

4/10

Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, cloudy (trip score 4/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late May to mid August, peaking in June.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest WSC stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Lillooet hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

Location & Access

Getting There

The falls are on Ziggurat Creek on the east side of the Green River valley, near Highway 99 north of Whistler. OpenStreetMap shows forestry spurs (GR2000, GR2010 'Ziggurat Falls Road') leading toward the informal trails; no official route description exists.

Get Directions on Google Maps