LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
West Quartz Creek Falls
Washington • 126 ft
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainBefore you go
There is no developed or maintained trail to these falls. Views require approaching a steep canyon rim or a hazardous scramble.
About West Quartz Creek Falls
West Quartz Creek Falls is a 126-foot single plunge on West Quartz Creek in a dry, barren canyon on national forest land west of Cliffdell, on the east side of the Cascades. It roars in April and May but loses most of its water by July. There is no developed trail; the falls are seen side-on from the canyon rim, and a full view requires a dangerous scramble.
The Setting
West Quartz Creek Falls sits at 3,025 feet within Snoqualmie National Forest, in the mountains of Washington. At 126 feet, it is among the taller waterfalls in Washington.
Height: 126 feet
Nearby Falls Worth Visiting
Devil Creek Falls (76 ft) lies 4.2 miles to the southeast. Also nearby: Union Creek Falls (50 ft, 10.9 mi).
Trail & Hike Details
USFS Trail
QUARTZ MOUNTAIN #948
Trail Class
Class 0
Surface
Avg Grade
USFS Segment
6.49 miWhat to Expect
The falls cascade 126 feet. Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
There is no trail, and the terrain near the falls is steep and hazardous.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at West Quartz Creek Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at West Quartz Creek Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
April and May, during snowmelt. By July the creek is low.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited. Check with Snoqualmie National Forest for seasonal road closures.
Safety Information
There is no trail. The canyon rim is steep and unstable, and the route into the canyon is a dangerous scramble. Visit at your own risk.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on American River, 2.1 miles away, not on West Quartz Creek Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
33 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 87 years of record
71.88 ft
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
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge AMERICAN RIVER NEAR NILE, WA (3 km away).
Today
Moderate
36 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Low
37 cfs
5/10Thu
Low
36 cfs
5/10Fri
Moderate
41 cfs
5/10Sat
Low
37 cfs
6/10Sun
Moderate
38 cfs
5/10Mon
Moderate
38 cfs
5/10Best window: Sat — low flow, partly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid April to mid July, 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 USGS 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 Cliffdell hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is West Quartz Creek Falls Frozen?
Updated about 13 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately north-facing, shaded
West Quartz Creek Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°F to 27°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 33 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Washington.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Through the falls the surface drops roughly 219 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 126 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 2,976 feet.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 236 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 96 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,976 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 219 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- North
- Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
3,025 feet above sea level
Coordinates
47.007339° N, -121.155085° W
Land Management
Managed by USFS
Visitor Tips & Gear
Go in April or May for flow. Stay well back from the canyon rim.
Where to Stay
Secluded Greenwater Cabin with Loft Near Rainier
The Cabin
4006 Suncadia Lodge Pool and Hot-Tub Access with Hotel Amenities
Cozy Studio Apartment
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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INDIAN FLAT GROUP SITE
1.9 miles away · 1 sites
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Nearby Attractions
Campgrounds and day-use areas along SR 410 near Cliffdell, including Indian Flat and Boulder Cave.
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