Comet Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Comet Falls |
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| Location | Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, United States |
| Type | Tiered |
| Total height | 380 feet (120 m) |
| Number of drops | 4 |
| Total width | 30 feet (9.1 m) |
| Watercourse | Van Trump Creek |
Comet Falls is an amazing and very tall waterfall! You can find it on Van Trump Creek in Pierce County, Washington. Many people think Comet Falls is the most beautiful waterfall in the entire Mount Rainier area. It's a popular spot for hikers and nature lovers.
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How Tall is Comet Falls?
When you first see Comet Falls, it looks like one huge drop. This main part of the waterfall plunges about 320 feet (98 m) from a high, hanging valley. But there's more to this waterfall than meets the eye!
Understanding the Waterfall's Sections
Comet Falls actually has several sections, or "tiers." Below the main drop, there are two smaller waterfalls. These drops are about 40 feet (12 m) and 20 feet (6.1 m) tall. There's also another small drop just above the main waterfall. We don't know the exact height of this top section.
Total Height of Comet Falls
If we guess that the top drop is at least 20 feet (6.1 m) high, then the total height of Comet Falls is probably around 400 feet (120 m)! That's like stacking more than 30 school buses on top of each other!
What Happened in the 2001 Mudflow?
In 2001, a big event called a "debris flow" happened near Comet Falls. A debris flow is like a fast-moving river of mud, rocks, and other natural materials. Even though the falls themselves weren't hurt because they flow over very strong rock, the mudflow still changed the area.
Changes Below the Falls
The powerful mudflow carved a deep canyon, up to 10 feet (3.0 m) deep, just below the waterfall. All the plants that used to grow along the creek were washed away. In their place, you could see dead plants and debris. The pool of water at the bottom of the main waterfall also got filled up with rocks and mud.
How Floods Helped in 2003 and 2006
Later, in 2003 and 2006, there were big floods. These floods actually helped Comet Falls! They washed away most of the debris that had been left behind by the 2001 mudflow.
Why the Falls Weren't Damaged
Just like with the debris flow, the strong bedrock under Comet Falls protected it. The floods didn't change the waterfall much at all. Instead, they cleaned up the area around the creek, making it look more natural again.
