A very short hike allows you to check out a nice waterfall in Girdwood, Alaska. Upper Virgin Creek Falls is relatively small — only about 15 feet tall — but it’s situated in a nice little grotto that provides a nice retreat from the world.
Location
The trailhead to Virgin Creek Falls is located at the end of Timberline Drive in Girdwood, Alaska. From the Seward Highway, take the Alyeska Highway towards the Alyeska Resort. After crossing Glacier Creek, watch for Timberline Drive on the right. Follow it to the end, and park along the street.
My Visit
It’s only about a 2/10 of a mile hike from the end of Timberline Drive to the waterfall on Upper Virgin Creek. I knew it wasn’t far, but I was still expecting a little bit more of a challenge — and then all of a sudden, I was there.
Walk up the stairs…
… and within moments, the falls comes into view. Keep going a bit further, and there’s a nice spot to view the falls, just below it, where the creek turns. I was visiting on a sunny day, and at first I was discouraged with the lighting.
But, once I took a look at the photos, I realized the lighting was actually quite nice — with a beam of sunshine creating a glow in the waterfall’s mist.
The Bottom Line
Virgin Creek Falls is a very quick stop, with a good reward for the minimal hiking effort that is required.
Drivelapse Video
Here’s a time-lapse look at the drive into Girdwood, which includes the drive out to the trailhead at the end of Timberline Drive:
No comments