WaterfallNear Me

John Pierce Waterfall

Whatcom County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
Not recorded
Location
Whatcom County, Washington
Access status
Partial: roadside parking and a short unmaintained path; no formal lot or trail
The walk
About 200 feet one way (Waterfalls Northwest)
Ground & access
Brushy old roadbed with fallen boulders. Below the falls the creek drops steeply among large talus blocks toward Diablo Lake.
Waterfalls Northwest: John Pierce Falls

John Pierce Falls, once called Horsetail Falls, is a 66-foot waterfall on Horsetail Creek beside the North Cascades Highway in Ross Lake National Recreation Area. It is about 11 and a half miles east of Newhalem, half a mile west of the Ross Dam Trailhead, and can be seen from passing cars. To reach the base, park next to the cliff on the east side of the bridge and follow the brushy bench along the drainage for about 200 feet. The bench is what remains of the original road to Ross Dam; trees and fallen boulders are taking it over, and it is not a maintained trail. Return the same way.

Plan your visit

Roadside parking beside the cliff on the east side of the bridge on the North Cascades Highway (SR 20), then about 200 feet along a brushy bench to the base of the falls

Waterfalls Northwest says to follow the brushy bench along the drainage for 200 feet to the base of the falls.

Brushy old roadbed with fallen boulders. Below the falls the creek drops steeply among large talus blocks toward Diablo Lake.

Where to start

Beside the cliff on the east side of the bridge on the North Cascades Highway (SR 20). No formal parking area is described.

Timing & water

Not stated.

Before you go

No fee is mentioned.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Whatcom County, Washington.

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