34 min
Overview
Panther Creek Falls is one of the most beautiful and complex waterfalls in our area. Pristine Panther Creek plunges over a cliff just below its confluence with Big Huckleberry Creek. Most of the creek's flow is channeled into a deep groove that steers the spate over the drop in a two-tier plunge, while a small portion of the creek avoids the crevasse and drops directly to the pool below. Right across from the viewing platform, adding atmosphere to this scene, is a series of springs that spills rivulets of water 100 feet down a mossy face into the same plunge pool. Just downstream is a 30-foot drop that completes the cascade. The Forest Service recently rebuilt the entire trail system here to mitigate some of the damage that resulted from overuse and people going off-trail for a closer look at the falls. The original viewpoint platform has been removed, and the upper viewpoint has been moved back from the cliff for safety, but this also means that the base of the falls is no longer visible from the upper viewpoint. However, the Forest Service also built an excellent new trail to the base of Panther Creek Falls , replacing a treacherous user path that had resulted in at least one death in recent years. From the new, lower viewpoint you will have a spectacular view of the falls, but please stay within the elaborate rail fences along the trail. The trampled terrain around the falls and several burned trees where careless visitors built a bonfire are reminders of why this area is now so carefully regulated. Panther Creek Falls is a great stopover on the return from a hike in the Indian Heaven Wilderness.
Trail Stats
1.6 km
61 m
555 m
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Photos
Trail photo
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Trail photo
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Trail photo
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