After I spent a week of vacation hiking solo in July Heather joined me for an August vacation to Packwood, WA. The majority of our trip would involve hikes in Mount Rainier National Park, but on the way to our Vrbo in Packwood we took the opportunity to visit Walupt Falls aka Walupt Creek Falls. Located in the Goat Rocks Wilderness, the 220′ waterfall had been on our bucket list of waterfalls for several years, but the 4-hour drive from Salem made it too far for a day trip.
There is no official trail to Walupt Falls so there is no official trailhead. There is however a use trail that leads steeply downhill to the base of the falls from Forest Road 21 across from the Walupt Horse Camp. To reach the horse camp we turned off Highway 12 just over a mile west of Packwood onto FR 21 (Johnson Creek Road) and followed this rocky, bumpy road 16.1 miles to a junction with paved FR 2160. If you’re a long-time reader of our blog you are probably familiar with our low tire pressure adventures. We’ve had a low tire pressure light come on near the Alvord Desert in 2018, on Steens Mountain in 2021, and three different times in 2022 (Siskiyou Peak, Siskiyou Wilderness, and Russian Lake).
Once again, the dreaded light illuminated just as we reached FR 2160. I pulled over and when we got out we could immediately hear the air leaving our right front tire. We had to hop back into the car and drive a little further to find a level pullout then unload the back to retrieve the spare. After getting the tire changed we discussed what to do. Since it was Sunday the chances of us finding a business nearby that would be open was slim to none. Since we were now on a paved road and only a little over 3 miles from the Horse Camp we decided to continue with our hiking plans, and we’d deal with the tire on Monday.
We parked at a small pullout across from the Horse camp where the use trail began between some large rocks.
There was only room for a couple of cars at this pullout. Do not park in the tempting pullout on the other side of the road, there is a “No Parking” sign that isn’t immediately visible. There are other options along FR 21 or you can park at Walupt Lake (fee required) and hike the trail between the lake and horse camp.
Do not park here.
While this isn’t an official trail the falls are on some trail apps. There were varying opinions regarding how hard the route was to follow, but we didn’t have any issue following the use trail.
The route initially follows an old roadbed.
After about a quarter mile the route crosses Walupt Creek on a log.
The trail followed the creek down through the forest.
Cascade on Walupt Creek.
The Cispus River below.
Looking down Walupt Falls to the confluence of Walupt Creek and the Cispus River.
There was fairly consistent flagging along the route, but it wasn’t really necessary considering how well beaten the path was.
Walupt Falls from a viewpoint part way down to the base.
The last section of the trail down is very steep, but there was a good rope set up. (The rope was actually more helpful on the way up than down.)
Cispus River
Walupt Creek joining the Cispus River.
Frog
It was a little after 9:30am when we arrived at the base of the falls which turned out to be a really bad time for photos. The Sun was directly behind the falls and not too far above the top of the waterfall.
If our focus was more on photography than hiking we would have planned better, but that isn’t our focus. Despite the poor photography conditions the in-person experience was amazing. This was a very impressive waterfall. We slipped on our water shoes and explored the creek below the falls.
Flowers growing in the creek.
Western harebells
Fireweed
View down the creek to the Cispus River.
Hedgenettle
Heather at the base of the falls for a height reference.
There had been a couple with a dog at the falls when we arrived, but they had headed back up leaving us to enjoy the falls alone. After spending some time admiring the beautiful scene we finally tore ourselves away and headed back up ourselves. We passed several sets of hikers headed down on our way back to our car so we were thankful to have had the solitude.
Our original plan had been to drive on to Walupt Lake and hike the Walupt Lake Trail to the Pacific Crest Trail. Given that we were using our spare tire we decided not to move the car and adjust our plan to hiking the connector trail between the Horse Camp to the Lake and then hiking a short distance along the Walupt Lake Trail. After making sure all the remaining tires appeared fine we crossed FR 21 and picked up the connector trail near the Horse Camp outhouse.
The outhouse through the trees ahead.
We followed this connector nearly a mile to Walupt Lake.
We went around this spider web.
Twinflower
White-veined wintergreen
We walked past the boat ramp and through the day use area to pick up the Walupt Lake Trail.
Walupt Creek leaving the lake.
Map, info and permits for the Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Entering the Goat Rocks Wilderness.
Given our check in time was 3pm we decided to hike until 12-12:30 and then turn around knowing we had at least an hour-long drive to Packwood.
The trail passed through the forest a little away from the lake which meant that views were limited, but near the far end of the lake we took a spur trail downhill to a sandy beach where we took a short break before heading back.
Oregon sunshine
View across Walupt Lake.
Yarrow and pearly everlasting
Paintbrush
Prickly currant
Lakeview Mountain as we were leaving the lake.
Our hike as approximately 7.3-miles with a little under 1000′ of elevation gain.
We carefully drove the rough road back to Highway 12 with the low tire pressure light still on due to the presence of the spare which didn’t help me feel confident that we’d know if another tire was having an issue. Our prayers were answered, and we successfully made it to the Chevron in Packwood where Heather got some information on where we might be able to get replacement tires while I filled the gas tank.
After checking into our Vrbo we walked to the Blue Spruce Saloon and Diner for dinner and came up with Plans A-D for the rest of the week. The biggest question marks were whether or not any of the local businesses would have tires in stock and if they did when would they be able to fit us in. It was literally a rocky start to the trip, but Walupt Falls had not disappointed. Happy Trails!
Flickr: Walput Falls and Lake
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