Spray Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spray Falls |
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| Location | Mount Rainier National Park, Pierce County, Washington, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°54′56″N 121°50′32″W / 46.91551°N 121.8421°W |
| Type | Veiling Horsetail |
| Total height | 354 feet (108 m) |
| Number of drops | 1 |
| Total width | 100 feet (30 m) |
| Run | 180 feet (55 m) |
| Watercourse | Spray Creek |
Spray Falls is a beautiful waterfall found in the amazing Mount Rainier National Park in Pierce County, Washington. This waterfall is fed by Spray Creek, which is a smaller stream that flows into the bigger Puyallup River. Spray Falls drops a long way, about 354 feet (108 m) (that's taller than a 30-story building!), onto a rocky slope below. It looks like a wide, flowing curtain of water, about 100 feet (30 m) across.
Discovering Spray Falls
Spray Falls is a truly special sight within Mount Rainier National Park. It's known for its unique "veiling horsetail" shape. This means the water spreads out widely as it falls, looking a bit like a horse's tail or a thin veil. The water comes from Spray Creek, which starts high up in the mountains.
Where is Spray Falls Located?
Spray Falls is nestled inside Mount Rainier National Park. This park is famous for its huge volcano, Mount Rainier, which is the tallest mountain in Washington state. The waterfall is in a part of the park called Spray Park. This area is known for its beautiful meadows filled with wildflowers during the summer.
Getting to Spray Falls
To see Spray Falls, visitors usually hike a trail. The trail to Spray Falls is part of the longer Wonderland Trail, which goes all around Mount Rainier. Hiking to the falls lets you see amazing views of the park's forests and mountains. It's a great adventure for people who love nature and exploring.
How Tall is Spray Falls?
Spray Falls is quite tall! It drops about 354 feet (108 m). To help you imagine this, think of it as being as tall as a 30-story building. The water also spreads out very wide, reaching about 100 feet (30 m) across. This wide spread makes it look like a flowing curtain of water.
What is a Veiling Horsetail Waterfall?
Waterfalls come in many different types. A "veiling horsetail" waterfall is one where the water stays in contact with the rock as it falls, but it spreads out very wide. It looks like a thin, flowing sheet or veil of water. The "horsetail" part means the water stream is narrow at the top and then fans out as it drops. Spray Falls is a great example of this type of waterfall.
The Water Source: Spray Creek
Spray Creek is the stream that feeds Spray Falls. This creek starts high up in the mountains of Mount Rainier National Park. As it flows down, it gathers water from melting snow and rain. Eventually, Spray Creek flows into the larger Puyallup River. Rivers and creeks like Spray Creek are super important for the environment. They provide water for plants and animals and help shape the landscape.
