Back in 2019 I visited Lost Falls. After returning home and looking at online maps, there was a Google review on Roaring Creek saying there are more falls 1/4 mile upstream in the same area (review now disappeared, strange). So today I returned in search of these other unknown falls that seem to be well-traveled by others but not really listed on any of the waterfall sites that I have seen.
NOTICE: The trail to the falls is on private land. Permission to be on this property is offered to registered campers of Lost Falls Campground as part of the campground experience. Please DO NOT just park on the side of the road and do not access via the trail without permission – IT IS TRESPASSING, DO NOT DO THAT! In the past I have received permission by visiting the campground and asking nicely but respect their wishes if they tell you “no”. Be cool and keep this place accessible. Even better, click here and make a camping reservation! You could also access the falls by going upstream from Black River which has public access but is a longer journey.
Lost Falls
Same as my 2019 journey, Lost Falls is very easy to access via a short hike and walking through the shallow waters of Roaring Creek. Here’s the main face-on view of these cascade-type falls. Sun is harsh today making photos a little challenging.
Here’s another view standing closer to the falls and from the left side angle. I wanted to share this to show contrast in how the falls look depending on where you stand. These types of falls are tricky to capture and convey truthfully on flat photos.
Upstream of the main falls there are several small shelves that drop a foot or two each. Overall the creek drops 10-20 feet here from my un-calibrated eyeballs.
I walked upstream for at least 1/4 mile according to my GPS app and found nothing other than shallow waters and deadfall that completely obstructs the creek. Everything here is sandy and soft with no elevation change to speak of and doesn’t look like a place to find falls. Maybe they meant downstream?
Wading down Roaring Creek
Since it’s a fantastic summer day and quite cool in the creek I pressed on downstream. The creek winds through a canyon with heavy forest cover above and is very scenic. River bottoms change from soft sand to hard rocky shelves again with multiple small <1 foot drops.
Here’s another view while hiking the creek during my return trip. Sometimes the best part of these journeys is enjoying the view twice in opposite directions.
There is a large “S” bend in the creek and a huge exposed cliff that you can’t quite make out while going downstream until you get right in front of it.
A better view of the cliffside from slightly downstream. Very large and I didn’t expect to see this here. I’m not very good at estimating distance but this is likely 100ft high or more depending where the actual top is.
And another view from a few steps further downstream. Here you can see how this cliff abruptly appears. On the right-hand bank the cliff is much smaller and there is a house/cabin there (not sure if part of the campground or not – don’t go up there, it’s private!).
Down below the large cliff there are more smaller shelf “falls” and they seem to be growing larger – some like this are 1-2 feet high. The creek is starting to drop more drastically in elevation and my ears tell me we are close to something large…
Roaring Creek Falls
It only took walking another 100 yards or so and I reached a huge falls. Based on things I have read online these are referred to as Roaring Creek Falls. Here is the view from the furtherst bottom drop – not a bad view, but notice the large tree going horizontal blocking the full picture. Still, these are extremely hard to show via a flat photo – I would need to get vertical and that would require standing on the private land on a ladder which I don’t have today.
Here’s another view standing above the lowest drop and that tree branch. This gives a better perspective on the overall drop. In total I’d wager there are 10 successive shelf drops (or more depending how you count them). Total height has to be 15-20 feet over the course of 50-100 yards. I’ve looked for these on satellite view maps and you can’t see them due to tree cover but glad I fould them today!
Video
Here’s a video of the falls and surrounding area. I couldn’t take as much drone footage as I wanted since today is July 4th and there are LOTS of campers playing in the creek (and regulations prevent flying over them for safety). Enjoy!
Hiking
Overall this is a very easy hike. The most important part (to me) is having good water shoes to make traction easy. I wear my NRS paddle shoes and they are like 4 wheel drive in a creek like this. You can see where I went 1/4+ miles above Lost Falls and then probably 1/4 mile downstream to Roaring Creek Falls. Elevation changes are minimal, biggest challenge is just not slipping in the water.
Here are the statistics – again very minimal elevation change and I was moving very slow. Partially from being in the water (deepest parts upstream were 3 feet deep; average downstream less than 1 foot deep), and partially because I was playing with my cameras. Also it was a beautiful day outside so I had no reason not to take my time & enjoy the moment.
