Curly Creek

Not a major objective, but Curly Creek Falls is one of the most unique waterfalls in Washington State. Per the Northwest Waterfall Survey: "Having two arches spanning the falls places Curly Creek among a globally exclusive list; there may be only a handful of waterfalls on the entire planet able to make that claim." It's suspected that the geology of this area is the result of the creek cutting through a lava tunnel. This waterfall is something of a tourist attraction - with a viewpoint located high up on the embankment on the north side of the Lewis River. The creek runs high in the early season, but dries up completely (or goes entirely underground?) somewhere in July / August. Curly is probably best to run when there's some water, but not too much. Also: consider the height of the Lewis River before running this falls. In higher flow it may be difficult to cross or follow the southern bank. See "Exit" below.

From the old campground, bushwhack northwesterly and downhill until you intersect Curly Creek. Drop down into the creek wherever is easiest and make your way downstream to the top of the falls. Just before the falls the creek passes through some interesting areas of water-carved basalt. Expect a minor downclimb or three. Distance to the top of the falls is about 0.25mi and takes about 10min. Do not eat any of the poisonous mushrooms along the way.

Use caution as Curley Creek is a very unusual drop. Imagine the first pitch as rappelling into a vertical silo with two holes punched out in the side part way down.

In late summer, water on the Lewis River is lower and you can follow the south bank all the way back to your car (~0.4mi). Even in low water conditions there are short stints of swimming and you may need to hop into the water briefly and pull yourself along a rocky wall. Expect a little wading, scrambling, some boulder hopping, talus slopes, and rocky slopes. Closer to the bridge, you can follow fishing trails along the bank which makes for easy travel. Just before the bridge, look for a muddy trail on your right that leads steeply upwards back into the lower parking area. In high water it might be possible to exit up a steep rocky ramp right at the foot of Curly Creek Falls and exit atop the cliff, but we did not explore that direction. (If feasible, this might enable an out & back from the upper trailhead.) Another possibility might be to cross the Lewis River and exit to the Lewis River Trail higher up the embankment on the north side. Reportedly waterfall photographers use this route to access the falls.