Potter Falls

RATING - 38.0

VR - 3.6 (Sm/M) HR - 5.0 SR - 20/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Bushwhack

DIFFICULTY - Fairly Difficult

LOCATION - Van Zandt Area

TYPE - Fan

HEIGHT - 90'

WIDTH - 30'

DIRECTIONS - Drive along Highway 9 to the tiny town of Van Zandt and then turn west on Potter Road near Everybody's Store. In a couple miles, the road will go through a signed "Flood Zone". Just after this turn onto the gated logging road on the right and park. Walk up the very steep road for just over 1/2 a mile to the 3rd left-hand switchback (not counting the one at the gate). You should hear the falls at this point, but you'll have to scramble down into the canyon to get a good view.

Potter Falls is one of the best of the waterfalls in the Nooksack Valley. The falls occur where an unnamed, though decent sized, creek drops 90' in two main tiers. The upper tier plunges about 65' in a unique oval shape. The creek then cascades for about 10' before reaching the bottom tier, which cascades another 15' through a narrow chute and into a pretty pool at the bottom. I have named the falls for their close proximity to Potter Road.

While Potter Falls is located very close to the logging road, the climb down into the canyon is very steep. It's possible to get a glimpse of the falls from just off the logging road, but a clear view will be more difficult to attain. There is nothing really dangerous in the climb, it's just steep. Do be careful on the rocks around the creek, especially when they're wet, as they are VERY slick. On my trip to the falls I slipped and sliced my hand open pretty badly.