Granite Gorge Falls
RATING - 34.0
VR - 4.0 (Sm/M) HR - 6.5 SR - 10/20
TYPE OF APPROACH - Bushwhack
DIFFICULTY - Fairly Easy
LOCATION - Newhalem Area
TYPE - Tiered
HEIGHT - 200'
WIDTH - 10'
DIRECTIONS - Drive east along Highway 20 and turn left onto Thornton Creek Road about 3 miles before reaching Newhalem. Drive up the road for about 3/4 of a mile to the bridge over Thornton Creek. The middle section of the falls can be seen by finding a short, little boot path along the rocks for about 50' to a clear view. The lower section of the falls can be seen by heading down hill along the west side of the creek. The hillside is fairly steep but not too difficult to get down. To view the upper sections continue along the road until the second switchback right by the creek. Views can be had through the trees and with some (very careful) climbing, clearer views can be achieved. Be careful.
Thornton Creek runs over a series of small drops just before it runs under Highway 20. The falls are sort of divided into three main sections, each with several drops. The topmost section consists of three drops, each in the 25-30' range. The middle section can be seen by climbing upstream a little from the bridge and includes a 20' plunge followed by several smaller, sliding drops. The bottom section has 4 small drops and ends in an amazing blue-green pool. The final drop is probably the most photogenic of the bunch (right).
