Buck Creek waterfalls Loop Hike

Buck Creek Falls Hike - Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Buck Creek is a major tributary of the White Salmon River and flows almost wholly within a tract that has been managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources since the 1920s.

Buck Creek is a major tributary of the White Salmon River and flows almost wholly within a tract that has been managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources since the 1920s. Buck Creek also supplies the City of White Salmon with its drinking water and the loop trail described here uses part of the water pipeline route. This loop hike is best done in spring, when a variety of wildflowers bloom in the conifer and oak savanna habitats that the trail encompasses. Buck Creek Falls itself is a minor cataract on the creek. The loop trail also accesses much longer Buck Creek Loop, which takes to the ridges around the drainage.

Buck Creek Falls is a small waterfall on Buck Creek, the source of White Salmon's water supply. A trail spur leads to the top of the falls, which spills into a lovely shaded pool in a basalt-rimmed bowl. Montia, alumroot and saxifrage adorn the rocks.

·         Start point: Lower Buck Creek Trailhead

·         End point: Buck Creek Falls

·         Hike Type: Loop

·         Distance: 2.8 miles

·         Elevation gain: 770 feet

·         High Point: 1090 feet

·         Difficulty: Easy

·         Location : Gifford Pinchot National Forest - Trail #54 Buck Creek

Buck Creek also supplies the City of White Salmon with its drinking water. This loop hike is best done in spring, when a variety of wildflowers bloom in the conifer and oak savanna habitats that the trail encompasses. Buck Creek Falls itself is a minor cataract on the creek. The loop trail also accesses much longer Buck Creek Loop, which takes to the ridges around the drainage. The trail along the creek will be pleasant, shaded, some large Douglas fir trees, and it is easy to hike.