Rat Trap Falls

RATING - 32.0

VR - 4.0 (Sm/M) HR - 4.0 SR - 16/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Roadside

DIFFICULTY - Very Easy

LOCATION - Rat Trap Pass

TYPE - Fan

HEIGHT - 76'

WIDTH - 20'

DIRECTIONS - Drive north of Darrington or south of Rockport on Highway 530 and turn onto Suiattle River Road. In about 10 miles, turn right and cross over the Boundary Bridge onto FR 25. Follow this for about 2 miles and take a right onto FR 27. Follow the road for a few miles towards Rat Trap Pass. The falls are on the right and impossible to miss.

I found a postcard of this waterfall in Newhalem a couple of years back. After finding the website of the guy who took the picture, I e-mailed him to find out where the falls were. I waited 2 years before the falls were finally accessible. It was well worth the wait. Rat Trap Falls is a very pretty, fan shaped waterfall on the tributary of Straight Creek that drops out of a small, unnamed lake on the eastern slope of White Chuck Mountain. The fan potion of the falls is around 65' tall with cascades above that add to the total height. The creek appears to have several upper falls as well. These can be seen from further southeast on the road by looking back. It should be possible to get up close to these as well but it would be difficult.

Check yourself for ticks if you scramble down to the creek. Mongo and I have each gotten ticks here.