Waterfalls of the West Fork Foss River Valley

The valley of the West Fork Foss River^[1] contains a fair amount of waterfalls. The river heads in a series of large lakes: Big Heart Lake, Angeline Lake, and Otter Lake- which form spectacular waterfalls as they plunge down to Delta Lake. On the valley walls downstream of Delta Lake, are found even more waterfalls.

There are a series of waterfalls occurring on the cliff where Malachite Lake and Copper Lake's outlet streams plunge down to meet the West Fork Foss River, in King County, Washington. This cliff drops thousands of feet into the basin of the West Fork, forming two sets of five waterfalls total. Two other waterfalls also drop down the cliff further downstream along the drainage. There are also some waterfalls on the West Fork itself.

Copper/Malachite Lakes Headwall

Waterfalls on the cliff separating the lakes and the West Fork below include Malachite Falls, Copper Lake Falls, and the Upper, Middle, and Lower Copper Falls. All these waterfalls are on a watercourse informally named Copper Creek. Falls are arranged proceeding downstream.

Copper Lake Falls

Copper Lake Falls
Coordinates	47°36′35″N 121°19′51″W / 47.60973°N 121.33078°W / 47.60973; -121.33078
Type	Tiered
Elevation	3,823 feet (1,165 m)
Total height	120 to 140 feet (37 to 43 m)
Number of drops	3
Longest drop	60 feet (18 m)
Total width	20 feet (6.1 m)
Watercourse	Copper Creek
Average flow rate	75 cubic feet (2.1 m3) per second

Copper Lake Falls is a waterfall about 0.25 miles (0.40 km) upstream from Malachite Falls. Its three tiers total about 120 feet (37 m) in height, and its tallest drop is 60 feet (18 m). The two lower drops probably disappear into the talus they cascade over during lower stream flows, but the upper tier flows over rock hard enough to sustain it all year. The falls flows best from April to July.^[2]

The falls is found about 1.75 miles (2.82 km) further on the trail from the viewpoint of Malachite Falls. In total, from the trailhead, the distance to the falls is about 3.75 miles (6.04 km).

Malachite Falls

Malachite Falls
Coordinates	47°36′42″N 121°19′48″W / 47.61162°N 121.33007°W / 47.61162; -121.33007
Type	Horsetail
Elevation	3,559 feet (1,085 m)
Total height	600 feet (180 m)
Number of drops	1
Total width	75 feet (23 m)
Watercourse	Copper Creek
Average flow rate	100 cubic feet (2.8 m3) per second

Malachite Falls is the waterfall formed where the outlet streams of Copper and Malachite lakes plunge parallel for about 600 feet (180 m), before joining together. It stands about 600 feet (180 m) tall, though this measurement is approximate. Despite the grand size of the falls, only portions of it are visible from any given spot, though the falls is visible for about 1 mile (1.6 km) along the West Fork Foss Trail (#1062). The segment of the falls that flows from Copper Lake is easiest to see, while the segment from Malachite Lake is more difficult to see. The falls' best flows are from May to August.^[3]

The falls is reached by the West Fork Foss Trail #1062. The total hiking distance to the falls is about 2 miles (3.2 km), with several stream crossings by log bridges.^[4]

Upper Copper Falls

Upper Copper Falls
Coordinates	47°36′43″N 121°19′08″W / 47.61197°N 121.31885°W / 47.61197; -121.31885
Type	Segmented
Elevation	2,491 feet (759 m)
Total height	40 feet (12 m)
Number of drops	1
Longest drop	40 feet (12 m)
Total width	20 feet (6.1 m)
Watercourse	Copper Creek
Average flow rate	125 cubic feet (3.5 m3) per second

Upper Copper Falls is the first of the three Copper Falls along Copper Creek. Well downstream from the much larger Malachite Falls and Copper Lake Falls, the segmented falls is about 40 feet (12 m) high, and quite photogenic. One segment of the falls probably dries up during lower stream flows, as it most probably cascades over talus. The falls' best flows are perennial.

Below the main falls, there is another 4 feet (1.2 m) drop over a bulbous rock ledge.

The falls is visible from the West Fork Foss Lakes trail. After about 2 miles (3.2 km) from the trailhead, the falls is visible through trees. Several 200 feet (61 m) long paths lead upstream to the base of the falls. ^[5]

Middle Copper Falls

Middle Copper Falls
Coordinates	47°36′44″N 121°19′01″W / 47.61214°N 121.31695°W / 47.61214; -121.31695
Type	Tiered
Elevation	2,289 feet (698 m)
Total height	50 feet (15 m)
Number of drops	2
Longest drop	30 feet (9.1 m)
Total width	15 feet (4.6 m)
Watercourse	Copper Creek
Average flow rate	125 cubic feet (3.5 m3) per second

Middle Copper Falls is the second of the three Copper Falls. It drops about 50 feet (15 m) over smooth, wide rock, and its highest drop is 30 feet (9.1 m). During normal flows, its two tiers are said to be extremely pretty. In flood, the falls becomes a single white sheet of water. The falls look very different from opposite banks of the stream.

Uniquely, the Foss River trail crosses the creek between Upper and Middle Copper Falls. Like Upper Copper Falls, several small paths lead down to Copper Creek, to places where one can view the falls. ^[6]

Lower Copper Falls

Lower Copper Falls is a 45 feet (14 m) drop through a narrow chute just downstream of the middle falls. However, it is not as easily viewed.^[7]

West Fork Foss River and Upper Valley

There are two major falls along the West Fork, ^{[8] [9]} as well as one smaller tributary waterfall in the upper section of the valley.

Upper Foss River Falls

Main article: Foss River Falls

Lower Foss River Falls

Main article: Foss River Falls

Stairstep Falls

Stairstep Falls is a small, unspectacular waterfall on an unnamed stream flowing into the West Fork. About 40 feet (12 m) tall, its highest drop is 25 feet (7.6 m) tall. Its name comes from the rock steps it flows over.^[10]

Lower Valley

There are two tall but volume-lacking, glacially fed cascades in the lower part of the valley. One is over 1,000 feet (300 m) tall.

Shoestring Falls

Main article: Shoestring Falls

Sunray Falls

Main article: Shoestring Falls

Above Delta Lake

Three large waterfalls flow from Big Heart, Angeline, and Otter lakes, and bear the same name.

Big Heart Falls

Main article: Big Heart Falls

Angeline Falls

Main article: Angeline Falls

Otter Lake Falls

Otter Lake Falls is known to flow out of Otter Lake, which is adjacent to Angeline Lake.

See also

• Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area

References

1. ^ "West Fork Foss River". Geographic Names Information System, U.S. Geological Survey. http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:1527945. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
2. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Copper Lake Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=WA&num=1370. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
3. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Malachite Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=&num=214. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
4. ^ "Malachite Falls". Pacific Northwest Hikes. http://www.pnwhikes.com/waterfalls/waterfalls.asp?wid=19. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
5. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Upper Copper Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=WA&num=400. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
6. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Middle Copper Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=WA&num=283. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
7. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Lower Copper Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=WA&num=722. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
8. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Lower Foss River Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=WA&num=427. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
9. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Upper Foss River Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=WA&num=401. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
10. ^ Swan, Bryan. "Stairstep Falls". Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest. http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/waterfall.php?st=WA&num=428. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 

External links

• West Fork Foss Lakes Trail