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 CLEARWATER FALLS
RATING - 60.0

VR - 6 (Med)                    HR - 8                  SR - 12/20

TYPE - Tiered

HEIGHT - 436'

WIDTH - 30'

TYPE OF APPROACH - Bushwhack

DIFFICULTY - Very Difficult

LOCATION - Glacier Creek Road

COORDINATES - N48 47.888 W121 55.855

ELEVATION - 3936'

 Clearwater Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls in the Baker area, dropping over 400' down a massive cliff on the west side of the mountain.  The stream begins high on Grouse Ridge, meanders along, and then drops off the side of the cliff.  The falls begin with a pretty little 10' drop that is followed almost immediately by a 35' tall, 15' wide plunge.  Below that, the creek zigzags down the mountain in a series of tiers of about 90', 80', 150', and 50'.  From the base of the falls, the 50' lower section (pictured on the right) can be clearly seen.  Through-the-trees views showing most of the waterfall can also be had, but from no place is the entire waterfall visible.  It may be possible to get a view of most of the biggest section from the south side of the creek, but that's just speculation.  It is also possible to get a good view of the 80' tall 4th tier from directly atop the 150' 5th tier.

I used to call this waterfall Grouse Ridge Falls, but I have changed the name after seeing the entire waterfall, which is surely the best waterfall in the Clearwater Creek drainage.
DIRECTIONS - Drive out Mt. Baker Highway and then turn right onto Glacier Creek Road.  Follow the road for around 8 miles and then turn right onto FR 36 (Grouse Butte Road).  Follow this road, climbing high above the valley.  Go left at the first 2 forks and then right at the third.  Follow this new road for 3/4 of a mile to the second right-hand switchback and park.  Head off the road to the east, climbing very steeply into the canyon.  When you reach the first creek, heading downstream until you reach the bottom of Grouse Butte Falls.  Work your way around the hillside to the south until you see Clearwater Creek and then scramble uphill to the falls.  This is a difficult trip.
MORE PICTURES (CLICK TO ENLARGE) AND VIDEO
Upper Tier     35' tall second tier     Looking down at the main drop     80' tall 4th tier     Looking over the top of the biggest drop

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