Since water runs downhill, it’s inevitable that…
… you’ll have to climb down, then back up, a lot of stairs (the trail drops about 220 feet in elevation from top to bottom).
Access to the first waterfall is said to be handicapped-friendly, and no stair climbing is required. Unfortunately, you can barely see the first, 25 foot cascade. The view was so bad, I didn’t even bother taking a picture of it.
The downhill trail follows Hills Creek, as it tumbles over rocks and forms a few mini-waterfalls. Don’t get discouraged, it’s about to get better!
After 126 steps down, you reach the second cascade. It is 45 feet high, and much more beautiful than the first. It’s also much easier to view. But the best one awaits at the end of the trail, so keep descending (just 219 more steps to go!)
The third waterfall at Falls of Hills Creek is an impressive 63 feet high. You could probably walk behind it, except such behavior is against the rules (plus, imagine what this picture would look like if some idiot was taking a shower underneath the falls!). Stay on the viewing platform, and enjoy the view.
On the way back up, watch for a side trail that splits off near a switchback in the trail near the middle falls. This will take you to the parking lot, and avoid some of those stairs.
Note: This trip was first published in 2008.
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