- Youngs Creek Falls (waterfallsnorthwest.com)
If you were driving along Highway 203 to or from Monroe, you will undoubtedly see the vast farmlands along the shores of the Snoqualmie and Skykomish Rivers, totally oblivious that there are waterfalls around. Youngs Creek Falls seems quite out of place, until you actually reach the creek. It seems like the road and valley should be somewhere in lowlands eastern Washington. During low water periods, the falls may become tiered. This is the only waterfall that I know of that loses a tier in high water. It is possible, however, that when I saw the falls as tiered, there was a large root wad at the falls’ base, causing the appearance of a second tier.
- Youngs Creek crashes through potholes into a small gorge very similar to the gorge downstream of Youngs Creek Falls, just 1/2 mile downstream. The difference being, the falls are visible from the road this time. The falls are viewed from a concrete bridge spanning Young Creek, the road leading to Cedar Ponds Lake and it’s surrounding houses. Best views are however from underneath the bridge (where your view will undoubtedly be graced with many exotic pink flag-tape flowers). Be careful on the slopes near the gorge though, they are crumbly and unstable - especially when wet.
northwest waterfall survey of
- Lake Sammamish (wa100.dnr.wa.gov)
Don’t have time to visit Washington’s wild and scenic backcountry? Some of the exciting geology Washington has to offer may be just a stone’s throw away from your home. Lake Sammamish, a popular suburban beach getaway, lies just to the east of Seattle. At the lake’s southern end, Lake Sammamish State Park boasts a whole array of activities on water and land for the whole family. It’s certainly worth a day trip. For a geology-enthusiast, however, a pleasant afternoon by the lake can also involve imagining what the valley looked like during the last ice age. Take a break from paddling and picnicking to think about how geologic forces created this well-loved recreation area.