The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers AT Ladder Creek Powerhouse, gorge and waterfall Whatcom County, Washington state June 20, 2015
	Whatcom County is a county located in the U.S. state of Washington. Its largest city is Bellingham. The county was created out of Island County in 1854. Its name derives from the Lummi word Xwot'gom, meaning "noisy water."
Directions: Ladder Creek Falls can be found at the eastern end of the town of Newhalem along Highway 20 within Ross Lake National Recreation Area. Park directly across the river from the Gorge Powerhouse and cross the river on the suspension bridge to the Ladder Creek gardens. Follow the stairs along the creek to viewpoints of the falls. The place has a very accessible trail and very easy to hike, but with some stairs and sometimes a bit rocky. The falls is picturesque and quite enjoyable.


When the Skagit Hydroelectric project was being developed in the 30s and 40s, J.D. Ross developed the trail to the falls and the surrounding gardens as a showcase for the project as the Newhalem powerhouse was being constructed. The origin of the name of the creek is not known, but it is suspected to be based on the presence of the falls creating a natural "ladder" up the hillside. The falls were named for the creek. Ladder Creek Falls is the Official name of the waterfall shown below.


Below: The suspension bridge leading to the falls. Ilse Blahak did not like it because of the sign "Load 35 PSF". She told the two RV Gypsies not to put all their weight on one board, and she was serious. Ilse and Lee are shown below just entering the bridge. Ilse does not look happy.


Below: Views of the Ladder Creek Powerhouse

Below: The creek as seen from the bridge.	Below: The Powerhouse and garden

Ladder Creek is fed by the Ladder Creek Glacier and would have a lot more volume were it not largely diverted into the Gorge Powerhouse. However as a result of the creek being drawn off above the falls, the stream remains one of the most consistent in the North Cascades, leaving the falls with just the right amount of water all year long. At night the gardens along the trail to the falls and the falls themselves are illuminated with colored lights. (see photos via the link at the bottom of this page)



Ladder Creek has cut itself a fairly impressive slot canyon which harbors a very pretty three-tiered waterfall. While the falls are easily visible from the rim of the gorge, all tiers of the falls are obscured in some way or another - some more than others - by the twisting walls of the chasm. The upper and middle tiers drop 34 and 28 feet in back-to-back fashion, but both are highly obstructed by the shape of the canyon. The 46-foot lower tier is the most visible of the set but can be partially obstructed unless viewing it in a very specific area (near a large tree right next to the stairs).



Lee Duquette and Ilse Blahak on the bridge






Total Height of waterfall: 108 feet Tallest Drop: 46 feet Number of Drops: 3 Average width: 10 feet Pitch: 85 degrees Run: 150 feet





Below: Ilse Blahak took a picture of Lee and Karen Duquette, and then Karen took Ilse's picture


After enjoying the falls, the two RV Gypsies and Ilse Blahak crossed over the small suspension bridge to return to their car.


Below: Lee Duquette heard Ilse Blahak's command, once again, NOT to put all of his weight in one spot, so of course that meant he had to walk in a weird manner as he crossed the bridge.

These falls are illuminated at night using energy efficient LED bulbs with vibrant colors. The two RV Gypsies returned in the evening on July 3, 2015 to take photos.