Cougar Creek Falls

RATING - 50.0

VR - 6.0 (Med) HR - 5.0 SR - 20/20

TYPE OF APPROACH - Trail

DIFFICULTY - Fairly Difficult

LOCATION - Sloan Peak Trail

TYPE - Fan

HEIGHT - 111'

WIDTH - 20'

GPS - N48 04' 26.71" W121 19' 29.52"

ELEVATION - 3052'

DIRECTIONS - Drive out the Mountain Loop Highway and turn onto the North Fork Sauk Road. In about 4 miles, pull off at the Sloan Peak Trail on the south side and begin hiking up the trail. In 2 difficult miles you will reach the falls.

Cougar Creek Falls is a stunning 111 foot tall waterfall located along the Sloan Peak Trail. The falls begin with a freefalling plunge that strikes the cliff face partway down and skips its way down in a myriad of directions and shapes. The area around the falls is gorgeous as well with lovely moss and greenery, combined with large trees that provide both shade and additional beauty to the scene. This waterfall, combined with two more just downstream, make Cougar Creek one of the premier destinations along the Mountain Loop for waterfall lovers. There are a couple other waterfalls even further upstream that I have yet to visit.

Experienced hikers may scoff at the "fairly difficult" rating I've given this one. I felt that the river crossings and steep trail made this a little too difficult for a medium rating. If you're in remotely decent shape and take your time, you should have no problem making it to the falls.