Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve
Archer Falls–Nellie Corser Cascade, 5 falls
12.3 mi · ▲ 2,604 ft · 5 hr 24 min
Archer Falls–Nellie Corser Cascade, 5 falls is a 12.3-mile out-and-back in Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve near Saint Cloud, WA. The route passes Duncan Creek Falls, Nellie Corser Cascade and Railcar Falls before reaching Archer Falls at the turnaround, 6.1 miles in. It climbs 2,604 ft, with sections as steep as 24% grade. It scores 85/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: genuinely wild.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
Archer Falls–Nellie Corser Cascade, 5 falls
12.3 mi · ▲ 2,604 ft · 5 hr 24 min
Elevation 970–2,303 ft
Out & Back · Columbia Falls Natural Area Preserve
Trailhead: Duncan Creek Road · 45.63634, -122.08584
Weather Sep 4: Heavy drizzle, high 64°F / low 52° · precip 61% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 6:34 AM · sunset 7:43 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading N.
- 200 ftPass Duncan Creek Falls.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Nellie Corser Cascade.
- 1.1 miSharp left onto Cedar Swamp Road, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Railcar Falls.
- 0.6 miBear left, heading W.
- 350 ftBear left, heading SE.
- 1.6 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.7 miSharp left, heading NE.
- 0.8 miSharp right, heading W.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading S.
- 150 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 400 ftReach Archer Falls, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 450 ftTurn left, heading E.
- 0.3 miBear right, heading N.
- 150 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.5 miSharp left, heading SE.
- 0.8 miSharp right, heading SW.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading N.
- 1.7 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.7 miSharp right, heading E.
- 1.1 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.2 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Trail surface
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 3.3 mi in (~121 min). Leave by 5:22 PM for the 7:43 PM sunset. Back at your car by 9:24 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
More from Duncan Creek Road Trailhead
- Mars Landing Road via Cedar Swamp Road 3.9 mi · ▲ 588 ft
- Nellie Corser Cascade–Railcar Falls, 4 falls 4.1 mi · ▲ 1,324 ft
- Indian Mary Falls–Nellie Corser Cascade, 5 falls 11.9 mi · ▲ 2,481 ft
- Archer Mountain–Nellie Corser Cascade, 6 falls 14.7 mi · ▲ 3,220 ft
Get outside more
A wild hike near Saint Cloud, emailed to you once a week.
Hikes near Saint Cloud, Washington