Pride Glacier Falls

RATING - 62.0

VR - 6.0 (Med) HR - 8.0 SR - 16/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Bushwhack

DIFFICULTY - Very Difficult

LOCATION - Pride Basin

TYPE - Plunge

HEIGHT - 406'

WIDTH - 20'

DIRECTIONS - No directions provided. Dangerous access.

The Pride Basin on the north side of Monte Cristo Peak is home to a large collection of some amazing waterfalls. On my one trip into the area, I forgot my memory card, so the only pictures I have were taken with my cell phone. I will definitely be back in the area to get better pictures though so stayed tuned.

Pride Glacier Falls is the best waterfall in the area and arguably the best waterfall along the entire Mountain Loop Highway. The rather large volume creek that drains the Pride Glacier encounters a massive cliff at plunges 406' in a stupendous waterfall. The free-falling portion alone stands 329' in height. In addition, several smaller streams cascade down the cliff to the right of the falls and the massive, craggy rocks of Cadet Peak tower above the entire scene. What makes this waterfall even more amazing, potentially, is that the creek may be one continuous waterfall from the terminus of the glacier to the bottom of this drop, some 1200' below. For now I will leave the height at 406' because the waterfall is amazing enough without the extra height. Keep in mind that thus far I have only seen the waterfall at low volume. I suspect at the height of snow/glacier melt that this is one of the best waterfalls in all of NW Washington.