Wells Creek Falls
Encyclopedia
Wells Creek Falls is the generally used name for a waterfall on Wells Creek
in the Mount Baker Wilderness
in Washington. The falls are located several thousand feet above Wells Creek’s confluence with Bar Creek.
, the falls are a single plunge of 90 feet (27.4 m) within a small gorge which the falls mark the beginning of. Several thousand feet downstream from the falls, the creek passes under Wells Creek Road & immediately is joined by Wells Creek’s only major tributary, Bar Creek. A large culvert
, rather than a bridge crosses the creek along Wells Creek Road.
The falls are occasionally confused with much larger Mazama Falls
, which is two kilometers upstream. Ironically enough, Mazama Falls is officially named while Wells Creek Falls isn’t despite the fact almost nobody has ever seen Mazama Falls up close & Wells Creek Falls is regularly visited by people driving up Wells Creek Road.
, the falls are not difficult to get to. They are located 5 kilometers up Wells Creek Road from Nooksack Falls & the condition of the road is quite good for a logging road, although it deteriorates beyond the falls. Once at the crossing, one can walk up the wide streambed to reach good views of the falls. Depending on how high the creek is, you may or may not have to get fairly wet, since at least one creek crossing is needed to get up close.
One can actually view the falls right from the crossing, however the view is partially obscured by trees.
Wells Creek
Wells Creek is a swift creek in Whatcom County, Washington. It is a tributary of the Nooksack River, joining the river just below Nooksack Falls. It is best known for having six major waterfalls along its course. Wells Creek was named for Hamilton C. Wells who prospected the area in the 1880s...
in the Mount Baker Wilderness
Mount Baker Wilderness
Mount Baker Wilderness in northern Washington, USA,contains . Its eastern border is shared with the boundary of the North Cascades National Park for a distance of 40 miles . The Wilderness extends from State Route 20 north to the Canadian border...
in Washington. The falls are located several thousand feet above Wells Creek’s confluence with Bar Creek.
Characteristics
One of the better known falls on the slopes of Mount BakerMount Baker
Mount Baker , also known as Koma Kulshan or simply Kulshan, is an active glaciated andesitic stratovolcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc and the North Cascades of Washington State in the United States. It is the second-most active volcano in the range after Mount Saint Helens...
, the falls are a single plunge of 90 feet (27.4 m) within a small gorge which the falls mark the beginning of. Several thousand feet downstream from the falls, the creek passes under Wells Creek Road & immediately is joined by Wells Creek’s only major tributary, Bar Creek. A large culvert
Culvert
A culvert is a device used to channel water. It may be used to allow water to pass underneath a road, railway, or embankment. Culverts can be made of many different materials; steel, polyvinyl chloride and concrete are the most common...
, rather than a bridge crosses the creek along Wells Creek Road.
The falls are occasionally confused with much larger Mazama Falls
Mazama Falls
Mazama Falls, also referred to more simply as Wells Creek Falls , is a waterfall on Wells Creek in the U.S. state of Washington. At nearly high, it is said to be the largest waterfall in the Wells Creek watershed.The falls drops in three main tiers...
, which is two kilometers upstream. Ironically enough, Mazama Falls is officially named while Wells Creek Falls isn’t despite the fact almost nobody has ever seen Mazama Falls up close & Wells Creek Falls is regularly visited by people driving up Wells Creek Road.
Access
Although not quite as convenient & easy to reach as Nooksack FallsNooksack Falls
Nooksack Falls is a waterfall along the North Fork of the Nooksack River in Whatcom County, Washington. The water flows through a narrow valley and drops freely 88 feet into a deep rocky river canyon. The falls are viewable from the forested cover near the cliffs edge. The falls are a short 2/3...
, the falls are not difficult to get to. They are located 5 kilometers up Wells Creek Road from Nooksack Falls & the condition of the road is quite good for a logging road, although it deteriorates beyond the falls. Once at the crossing, one can walk up the wide streambed to reach good views of the falls. Depending on how high the creek is, you may or may not have to get fairly wet, since at least one creek crossing is needed to get up close.
One can actually view the falls right from the crossing, however the view is partially obscured by trees.