WaterfallNear Me

Step Falls

Skamania County, Washington

Your visit at a glance

Waterfall height
115 ft (35 m)
Location
Skamania County, Washington
Access status
Monument trail; the falls are seen from the Loowit Trail near the Loowit Creek ford
The walk
About 9 miles as a loop returning by the Willow Springs and Truman trails (Waterfalls Northwest)
Ground & access
Open pumice plain with gullies and a creek ford. Very little clean water; filter all water. Canyon edges are unstable.
Waterfalls Northwest: Step Falls

Step Falls is a plunge on Step Creek, which drains the crater of Mount St. Helens beside Loowit Creek. Its canyon is very unstable, and the falls have changed greatly in height and position. It is best seen from the Loowit Trail near the ford of Loowit Creek. From the south end of the Windy Ridge parking lot, follow the Truman Trail (the old road for the first two miles), following signs for Loowit Falls: stay right at the first junction and left at the second, to meet the Loowit Trail about 2 3/4 miles from the lot. Turn right on the Loowit Trail, pass the Loowit Falls Trail junction in about 3/4 mile, and continue downhill about another mile, staying left where the Willow Springs Trail joins, to the Loowit Creek ford at the foot of the breached crater. Return the same way, or loop back by the Willow Springs and Truman trails.

Plan your visit

Windy Ridge Viewpoint, the Truman Trail and old road to the Loowit Trail, then west on the Loowit Trail past the Loowit Falls spur to the Loowit Creek ford, where Step Falls is seen

Waterfalls Northwest gives about 9 miles for a loop from the Windy Ridge parking lot to the Loowit Creek ford and back by the Willow Springs Trail and Truman Trail. Step Falls is seen from the Loowit Trail near the ford.

Open pumice plain with gullies and a creek ford. Very little clean water; filter all water. Canyon edges are unstable.

Where to start

Windy Ridge Viewpoint at the end of Forest Road 99, reached from Randle by SR 131 and Forest Road 25. Pit toilet.

Timing & water

Not stated. Weekday closures can apply to trails from Windy Ridge in summer; check current Forest Service notices.

Before you go

WTA lists a Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass for this area.

Visitor information
Visit sources

More waterfalls nearby

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

Explore Washington

Waterfall location

Skamania County, Washington.

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