Christine Falls

Christine Falls
Christine Falls, Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington, US
Scenery:4 out of 5 stars (4.0 / 5)
Difficulty:1 out of 5 stars (1.0 / 5)

Just a quick jaunt from the road and worth a stop for anyone driving by on WA 706, Christine Falls carves a sweet little niche out of the lower reaches of twisting Van Trump Creek under the graceful arch of a WPA-era stone bridge making for a perfect scene of nature framed by the works of man.

THE HIKE

Park in the Christine Falls parking area off WA 706—there is space for about a dozen cars—and look for the sign pointing the way down to the “Christine Falls Viewpoint.” Follow concrete pavers down less than 200 feet to a little forest aerie tucked into the woods across from Christine Falls. Stay behind the log fence or else risk a big fall into a deep gorge. Adventurers can continue beyond the overlook on a crude and rooted path branching off down the canyon and to the south to a precipitous overlook of another smaller waterfall—approximately 30 feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide—as it shoots out of the canyon below Christine Falls.

GETTING THERE

From Cougar Rock Campground in Mt. Rainier National Park, drive east on WA 706 for about 2 miles to a bridge over Christine Falls and then turn right into the marked “Christine Falls Viewpoint” parking area (GPS: N46 46.829’ / W121 46.734′) on the south side of the road and access the trailhead down to the overlook below.

For more info, contact Mt. Rainier National Park, Ashford, WA; (360) 569-2211.