Sulphide Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sulphide Creek |
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Location of the mouth of Sulphide Creek in Washington
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Skagit, Whatcom |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Sulphide Lake 3,801 ft (1,159 m) 48°48′13″N 121°34′52″W / 48.80361°N 121.58111°W |
| River mouth | Skagit River 869 ft (265 m) 48°46′36″N 121°31′59″W / 48.77667°N 121.53306°W |
| Length | 2.5 mi (4.0 km) |
Sulphide Creek is a stream about 2.5-mile (4.0 km) long in the state of Washington, in the United States. It flows through a deep, narrow valley on the side of Mount Shuksan. This area is part of North Cascades National Park.
Even though it's called a creek, it carries a lot of water, like a small river. It gets its water from the huge Sulphide and Crystal glaciers. These glaciers are located above Sulphide Lake. The creek flows east, joining with smaller streams, before it empties into the Baker River. This happens at an elevation of about 869 feet (265 m). Sulphide Creek is also home to several very tall waterfalls. The biggest one is called Sulphide Creek Falls.
What's in a Name? Sulphide Creek's Origin
The name "Sulphide" comes from the British English spelling of the word "sulfur." The creek was given this name because of certain minerals found naturally in the area.
In the 1950s, people looked for a mineral called molybdenite near where Sulphide Creek starts. Molybdenite is a type of sulfur mineral. However, the amount found was not enough to be useful for mining.
Where Does Sulphide Creek Flow?
Sulphide Creek starts high up on Mount Shuksan. Melted water from the Sulphide and Crystal glaciers drops hundreds of feet. It falls over cliffs made of a rock called Shuksan greenschist. This water then forms Sulphide Lake. This lake is small and hard to reach, located at about 3,800 feet (1,200 m) high.
Sulphide Creek flows out of Sulphide Lake. It then plunges down a narrow, deep rock channel. This forms Sulphide Creek Falls. This is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. It is estimated to be about 2,182 feet (665 m) high.
After the main waterfall, another stream joins Sulphide Creek from the west. This stream also has its own tall waterfall. The creek then turns east. Another stream joins it from the north. This northern stream creates four other notable waterfalls:
- Seahpo Peak Falls (about 2,200 ft (670 m))
- Cloudcap Falls (about 2,400 ft (730 m))
- Jagged Ridge Falls (about 1,500 ft (460 m))
- Rockflow Canyon Falls (about 200 ft (61 m))
The creek then continues generally southeast for about 2 miles (3.2 km). It flows through thick bushes and forest. Finally, it joins the Baker River. This happens upstream from Blum Creek and the Baker Lake reservoir.
