I
read somewhere that the highest waterfall in the state of Idaho is Elk Creek
falls just outside of Elk River. I don’t know if that means from the top of the
top fall to the bottom of the lowest or if it is just the highest of the three.
I’m assuming the former. At any rate, I find the falls to be a mesmerizing
delight for which I have great respect. Each of the three falls plunge from
great heights into pools of significant depth—the depth mainly caused by the
continuous pounding of the earth beneath. These falls flow over basalt rock
that is typical of Idaho and they are in the northern part of the state where
it is heavily timbered. You can’t drive right up to the falls so you have to
hike into them. This makes the falls, like so much of Idaho, remote and
relatively unknown. they are not, however, in a roadless area, so hiking access
is relatively simple. Access to the falls is just a short distance from the
tiny town of Elk River which is a little burg at the end of the road with full
access to the area around the North Fork of the Clearwater River and Dworshak
Reservoir. Elk Creek, the water of which flows over those falls, is, in fact, a
tributary of the North Fork of the Clearwater.
This
area is achingly beautiful with the seemingly endless coniferous forests of the
Clearwater, Bitterroot and Northern Rockies. You really need to hike there in
late spring, summer and early autumn when you don’t have to worry about too
much snow and falling down the great cliffy heights. Even when the trails are
relatively safe, you should never take the area for granted. There have been
people who have fallen to their deaths in this area. The hike itself is
moderately difficult but only because of the distance and you can easily make
it shorter by only hiking to one of the three falls. Because I live only an
hour’s drive away I like to take visitors and friends to the falls because it’s
an easy daytrip with little fanfare. Arrival at the falls always brings a sense
of calm and awe. It’s kind of a “Oh, yeah, no big deal. Just another little
unheard of spot in Idaho.” Of course, in any other state it would probably be
touted as a major attraction but here it is just a little local spot that many
people throughout the state don’t even know about. And why should they? All of
Idaho is full of such gems that only the locals are aware of and while they
don’t exactly keep them to themselves, they don’t shout it from the rooftops
either. Keeping things quiet and simple is how things are done in Idaho and
that’s certainly why such quiet, awe inspiring beauty escapes effusive
commentary in travel magazines.
I
like places like Elk Creek Falls and I’m thankful that I live in such an area
that during quarantine I can easily go to, be alone and recreate myself so that
the general anxiety and fear of this time can be set aside. Elk Creek Falls
keep things in perspective and remind me that in the scheme of all creation we
are just a drop in the ever-flowing stream. There is something bigger, more
beautiful, and more important than us yet we are still known and cared for. Elk
Creek Falls gives pause to contemplate all of this. And it’s nice that you have
to work a little bit to get to those falls and have a moment to contemplate the
beauty of our being. I am very thankful for Elk Creek Falls.
