John Pierce Falls

RATING - 22.0

VR - 4.0 (Sm/M) HR - 4.0 SR - 6/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Roadside

DIFFICULTY - Very Easy

LOCATION - Ross Lake Area

TYPE - Horsetail

HEIGHT - 60'

WIDTH - 10'

DIRECTIONS - Drive up Highway 20 towards Rainy Pass. The falls are around 11 1/2 miles east of Newhalem. If you come to the Ross Dam Trailhead, you've gone too far.

John Pierce Falls is located just off Highway 20 near Ross Lake. A sign at the bridge tells you it's there (otherwise you might not even notice it). The creek drops about 60' over a series of small drops before running over a looooong series of talus cascades all the way to the lake. It's possible to reach the base of the falls by following the old road bed from either end of the bridge. The east side is a little easier, but neither is awful and if you really want you can go in one side and out the other to make a little loop. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, I highly recommend visiting Upper John Pierce Falls just upstream. It's really nice.