Lookout Falls

RATING - 6.5

VR - .9 (Tiny) HR - 4.0 SR - 16/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Trail

DIFFICULTY - Fairly Easy

LOCATION - Lake Whatcom Area

TYPE - Fan

HEIGHT - 79'

WIDTH - 36'

GPS - N48 42.847 W122 21.426

ELEVATION - 748'

DIRECTIONS - Head east on Lakeway from Bellingham and turn right Lake Louise Rd. Just before Gate 9, park at the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve Trailhead and walk up the road for 1/4 of a mile until you see a trail cross the road. Head right for a few feet and find the trail to the left marked with a sign that says "Waterfall 1/4 mile". Follow this somewhat steep trail for .15 miles to a bench overlooking the falls. It's possible to scramble down to the base with some work.

Lookout Falls is a gorgeous fan-shaped waterfall located on a small stream near Lake Whatcom. The falls begin with a 20' tall horsetailing drop before cascading over the stunning 59' tall fan-shaped main tier. At the viewpoint is a nice bench that would be a perfect place for a picnic lunch. The only downside to the falls is the small size of the creek on which it occurs. During the summer this creek is certainly dry and in all but the wettest times of the year it's pretty small. That being said, it's easy enough to get to and the shape of the falls is really pretty.

Getting to the base can be accomplished by following any of the small, steep scramble paths down from the view point. I also made it to the small upper tier but this was somewhat dangerous and not really worth the effort. The main trail continues along past the falls but I don't know where it goes.