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MIDDLE RANKIN FALLS
RATING - 18.0
VR - 4 (Med/Sm)               HR - 1.5                  SR - 12/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Bushwhack

DIFFICULTY - Very Difficult

LOCATION - Middle Fork Nooksack Road

TYPE - Cascades

HEIGHT - 25'

WIDTH - 15'

GPS - N48 44.088 W121 54.442

ELEVATION -  2901' 

 Rankin Creek is a relatively small creek that begins its life in a pair of tiny lakes on the southwest side of Mt. Baker and eventually joins the Middle Fork of the Nooksack.  Along the route, it drops over at least 4 waterfalls, the first two occuring at the outlets to these small lakes.  I plan on reaching these two waterfalls next summer.  Further downstream, the creek drops over two small, but pretty waterfalls a short distance upstream from the Middle Fork Road.  The road used to access these two falls is rough, but drivable.  I found it easier to walk up, follow the creek down past both falls, and then head southeast until I hit the main road.  It's up to you which route you take.

Middle Rankin Falls is a 25' tall cascade located at the bottom of a steep, and surprisingly deep, canyon.  The area around the falls is very pretty with lots of green moss covering the rocks.  Unfortunately, this waterfall is pretty dangerous to view closely as a climb into the canyon is required.  The hills lining the canyon are nearly vertical, making it pretty sketchy.  Even though there are trees to hang onto, it's not a good place to fall.  I'd recommend just skipping this one unless you really need to see it.
DIRECTIONS - From Lower Wallace Creek Falls, continue on the Middle Fork Road for a few more miles.  Just after the Elbow Lake Trailhead is a road heading up to the left.  Follow this road for exactly one mile to a sharp switchback.  From here, the falls are just off the road, but you'll have to drop a good 100' to reach them.  It's easier to leave the road on the left (downhill side), climb down there where it's less steep, and then sidehill over to the creek.  This is still sketchy, but not as steep as heading straight off the corner.

NEARBY WATERFALLS - Lower Rankin Falls
ADDITIONAL PICTURES (CLICK TO ENLARGE) AND VIDEO

         

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