Ladder Creek Falls
A garden path and multi-tier waterfall behind the Newhalem power station, lit with colored lights on summer evenings.
Ladder Creek Falls is located behind the Gorge Powerhouse in Newhalem. After crossing a footbridge, you enter a garden created in the 1920s by Seattle City Light. Climbing stone steps and small bridges for about 15 minutes brings you to the falls, where Ladder Creek cascades in tiers through gaps in the rock. In summer, the waterfall and garden are lit with colored lights after dark, continuing a tradition that began when the utility promoted tours of its hydroelectric works. The power station visitor corridor next door lets you view the generators.
Opening hours
All day (lights approx. after sunset in summer)
Nearby sights
- Trail of the Cedars
- North Cascades Visitor Center
- Gorge Creek Falls
- Thunder Knob Trail
- Diablo Lake
- Diablo Lake Overlook
- Sourdough Mountain Lookout
- Ross Dam Trail