Curly Creek Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Curly Creek Falls |
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| Location | Skamania County, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°03′29″N 121°58′19″W / 46.058169°N 121.97203°W |
| Type | Tiered plunges |
| Total height | 1,554 ft (474 m) |
| Number of drops | 2 |
| Longest drop | 86 ft (26 m) |
| Watercourse | Lewis River |
| Average flow rate |
100 cu ft/s (2.8 m3/s) |
Curly Creek Falls, also known as Curly/Miller Falls, is a beautiful waterfall in Washington. It drops about 86-foot (26 m) from Curly Creek. This creek flows into the Lewis River nearby.
The waterfall is special because it has two natural rock arches. These arches are made of basalt, a type of volcanic rock. You can see them right at the top of the falls. Curly Creek Falls is found inside the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. A fun hiking trail takes you right to the waterfall. The area around the falls is full of mossy rocks and tall trees. These trees include old Douglas fir and hemlock trees.
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Where is Curly Creek Falls?
Curly Creek Falls is located in Southwest Washington. It is part of the Lewis River area. The falls are about 24.5 miles north of Stabler, Washington. They are also the same distance east of Cougar, Washington.
How to Find the Falls
You can find Curly Creek Falls where Curly Creek Road (NF-51) meets Lewis River Road (NF-90). There is a parking area and a hiking trail across the road. This trail is on the south side of the Lewis River.
The Hiking Trail
The trail first crosses over Curly Creek. Then, it goes through a forest with different types of trees. The path follows a steep slope along the water. The trail ends about 20 feet from the waterfall.
What is the Geology of Curly Creek Falls?
The unique features of Curly Creek Falls are due to its geology. The water of Curly Creek flows over ancient lava. This lava created interesting rock formations.
Basalt Arches and Lava Flow
Two natural basalt arches are visible above the waterfall. These arches are what is left from old lava flows. Basalt is a dark, fine-grained volcanic rock. During times of heavy rain or snowmelt, the water flow can be very strong. Sometimes, the first arch might even be hidden under the rushing water.
The Keeper Hole
Just upstream from the arches, there is a special hollow area in the bedrock. This unique spot is sometimes called a "keeper hole." It is a natural cavity formed by the water's movement over time. During drier parts of the year, this hole can be completely dry.
