Upper Snow Creek Falls
Chelan County, Washington
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- 148 ft (45 m)
- Location
- Chelan County, Washington
- Access status
- Long wilderness trail that passes the base of the falls
- The walk
- About 9 miles one way from the Snow Creek trailhead, with about 4,600 feet of gain (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
- Ground & access
- Long, steep wilderness trail with talus and rock sections.
Upper Snow Creek Falls is a series of slides and cascades of about 180 feet where Snow Creek leaves the Enchantment Lakes basin, between Upper Snow Lake and Lake Viviane in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness near Leavenworth. From the Snow Lakes Trailhead, the trail crosses Icicle Creek and climbs through switchbacks into the Snow Creek drainage, past Nada Lake to the Snow Lakes. The falls are about half a mile upstream of the footbridge at the inlet to Upper Snow Lake, where the trail passes their base. The upper part of the falls is hard to see, especially at low flow. Return the same way.
Plan your visit
Snow Lakes Trailhead on Icicle Creek Road, Snow Creek (Snow Lakes) Trail past Nada Lake and the Snow Lakes to the base of the falls between Upper Snow Lake and Lake Viviane
The Northwest Waterfall Survey gives about 9 miles and 4,600 feet of gain from the Snow Creek trailhead to where the trail passes the base of the falls. It discourages day hikes for all but the strongest hikers.
Long, steep wilderness trail with talus and rock sections.
Where to start
Snow Lakes Trailhead parking lot on Icicle Creek Road, 4.2 miles south of US 2, with an outhouse.
Timing & water
No season limits are stated. Snow can remain at this elevation into summer.
Before you go
WTA lists an America the Beautiful Pass or Northwest Forest Pass. Overnight stays in the Enchantment permit zone, which covers most of the Snow Lakes Trail, need a special-issue permit from May 15 to October 31. Check day-use permit rules with the Forest Service before going.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.
Viviane FallsLong wilderness trail; free day-use permit at the trailhead; scramble for a clear view197 ft (60 m) · Chelan County, WA0.3 miNW- Drury FallsPartial: highway-side view documented; no designated parking or walkway1,267 ft (386.2 m) · Chelan County, WA11 miN
- Pea Soup FallsKing County, WA20 miW
- Whinnimic Falls350 ft (106.7 m) · Kittitas County, WA24 miW
- Iceberg Lake FallsKing County, WA25 miW
Deception FallsResearched walking routeKing County, WA25 miNW- Monkey Cage FallsLower loop reported closed in 2026; Monkey Cage viewing-deck access unconfirmed16 ft (4.9 m) · King County, WA26 miNW
- Angeline FallsDistant viewing route identified; precise sighting point unverified424 ft (129.2 m) · King County, WA26 miW
- Big Heart FallsWaterfall viewing approach unconfirmed1,262 ft (384.7 m) · King County, WA26 miW