Rainbow Falls Mist Trail

Cascading 312 feet from Rainbow Creek high above the Stehekin valley floor, Rainbow Falls is perhaps the most popular natural destination for day visitors to the Stehekin Valley. And now, thanks to efforts from the National Park Service trail crew, a short trail exists here, offering a modest amount of elevation gain for a new vantage point of the waterfall.

From the bus turnaround and parking area, walk toward the enormous picnic table and interpretive sign. The falls are visible through the fragrant Ponderosa pines, and two viewing areas bring you close to the splash pool at the base of the falls.

But look to your left to find a wide trail switchbacking up the shoulder of the hillside near the falls. Stairsteps have been installed, but still, watch your footing. The mist from the falls keeps this trail damp year-round, and the materials used to build up the trail can become slippery or even icy, depending on what season it is when you visit.

The trail is quite short, less than a quarter mile, but a nice landing platform at the top of the switchbacks is a great place to get some photos before heading back to the parking area.

WTA Pro Tip: Make the most of your day in Stehekin. Take the Lady Express uplake and rent bikes to ride up to Rainbow Falls. Combine the Mist Trail with an amble around Buckner Orchard and a visit to the old one-room schoolhouse, then cap it all off with a visit to the Stehekin Pastry Company before catching the Lady of the Lady II back downlake. This gives you nearly three hours in the valley, the most amount of time you can spend here if you are relying on the ferry for transport to and from Stehekin.