Whinnimic Falls

RATING - 62.0

VR - 5.6 (Med) HR - 7.5 SR - 20/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Trail + Bushwhack

DIFFICULTY - Very Difficult

LOCATION - Alpine Lakes Wilderness

TYPE - Plunge

HEIGHT - 350'

WIDTH - 20'

DIRECTIONS - No directions provided. Long off-trail travel required and the area is pretty fragile.

The Upper Lemah Valley and Whinnimic Falls is, quite literally, one of the top five most beautiful places I've ever been. The massive face of Lemah Mountain towers over unbelievably gorgeous sub-alpine meadows. Trying to avoid being overlooked in this incredible scene is Whinnimic Falls, plunging 350' down the opposite side of the valley. The Lemah River forms a large pond of sorts as it meanders its way through the meadows. The "Sound of Music" gently plays on the breeze as visitors twirl their way though the clouds of mosquitos in the grass meadows. It should definitely be possible to get to the base of the falls. I got most of the way there on the day I hiked in, but the mosquitos, hot temperatures, and exhaustion from the long trip did me in. It's fine though. The view from further back is plenty great. Another waterfall drops into the valley further up as well, but its a little more difficult to get a view of.