Twin Falls

Olallie State Park / Issaquah, Washington, USA

About Twin Falls

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Waterfall Safety and Common Sense

Twin Falls seemingly felt like one of those locals only attractions that was charming in its own right.

However, it lacked the notoriety and power of the nearby Snoqualmie Falls.

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_061_07302017 - The main drop of Twin Falls
The main drop of Twin Falls

When we first did this hike back on a Memorial Day Weekend in May 2006, we visited it right after doing Snoqualmie Falls.

So we had to readjust our expectations for a more subdued and naturesque environment devoid of hydroelectric infrastructure and crowds.

And once that was done, we found ourselves appreciating the beauty of a graceful 132ft waterfall with lush surroundings, which included some old growth fir trees.

On a follow up visit in late July 2017, I noticed that they apparently re-routed and repaired the trail due to some flooding and landslides so it resulted in quite a different experience.

Moreover, I extended the hike to check out some additional waterfalls further upstream from the one you see pictured above.

Twin Falls Trail Description – hiking from the trailhead to the Twin Falls Overlook

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_004_07302017 - Hiking along the South Fork Snoqualmie River
Hiking along the South Fork Snoqualmie River

After finding the trailhead in the Twin Falls Trailhead (see directions below), I hiked through a lush rainforest that immediately followed along the South Fork Snoqualmie River.

For the first half-mile or so, the hike alternated between skirting the river and briefly veering inland.

During those inland interludes, the trail was flanked by tall trees with moss growing on both the trunks and the branches as well as low lying ferns.

The moss and ferns were indicators of how much moisture the area typically would get.

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_016_07302017 - Looking up at some of the moss-covered trees along the Twin Falls Trail during my July 2017 hike
Looking up at some of the moss-covered trees along the Twin Falls Trail during my July 2017 hike

The close proximity of the trail to the river made me realize just how flood-prone the area can become.

There were also some access spots for the river along the way (some of which had large boulders and rock formations).

The terrain would remain flat until it reached a hill where I had to traverse a long switchback.

At the top of this hill, there was a short spur to the right leading to a pair of benches with a distant partial view of the Twin Falls.

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_027_07302017 - This was the Twin Falls Overlook, where a pair of rest benches afforded a partial view of the main drop of the waterfall
This was the Twin Falls Overlook, where a pair of rest benches afforded a partial view of the main drop of the waterfall

This was said to be the 0.8-mile point of the trail.

Twin Falls Trail Description – hiking from the overlook to Twin Falls

Next, the path hugged a ledge before descending some steps then climbing again.

This down-and-up profile was apparently the newly-built trail that re-routed around a landslide that occurred here in 2014.

This was part of the reason why I didn’t recognize this trail the second time around when I came back in July 2017.

Twin_Falls_002_jx_05262006 - A sign about an old growth tree that I saw in May 2006 but I didn't notice in July 2017
A sign about an old growth tree that I saw in May 2006 but I didn’t notice in July 2017

I recalled the first time I did this hike that there was a sign before an old growth fir tree, but apparently I managed to miss it on the second time I did this trail.

Anyways, the trail would continue its climb (with the faint sounds of the I-90 traffic getting louder the higher I went) before reaching a trail junction.

Going right at this junction, which descended a series of 104 steps, led right down to the best viewpoint of the main drop of Twin Falls.

This was the lookout that yielded the photo you see at the top of this page.

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_054_07302017 - Descending these steps towards the overlook right above the main drop of Twin Falls
Descending these steps towards the overlook right above the main drop of Twin Falls

After having my fill of the falls from here, I then had to climb back up the steps to return to the main trail.

At this point, I had a choice to return to the trailhead (making the hike 2.6 miles round trip), or to continue on.

Twin Falls Trail Description – hiking beyond Twin Falls

I opted to continue on to see what other waterfalls could be found in the immediate vicinity.

Well, it turned out that the trail eventually leveled out then descended some more steps towards a sturdy footbridge across the South Fork Snoqualmie River.

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_083_07302017 - A pair of upper waterfalls upstream of the main drop of Twin Falls making me wonder if these waterfalls were how the name came about
A pair of upper waterfalls upstream of the main drop of Twin Falls making me wonder if these waterfalls were how the name came about

From this bridge, I could see a pair of smaller waterfalls further upstream as well as the brink of the main Twin Falls as I looked downstream.

While the pair of waterfalls upstream from this bridge may be referred to as the “Upper Twin Falls” and the whole ensemble may be referred to as the Twin Falls, it wasn’t clear to me what made these waterfalls “twins”.

Regardless, after climbing a few more steps, I reached another fenced lookout with a more direct look at the upper drop of the “Upper Twin Falls”.

Unfortunately, I was looking right into the sun on the morning of my hike (i.e. it’s bad for photos at that time).

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_095_07302017 - Approaching a fenced lookout of the upper drop of the Upper Twin Falls, which was looking right against the morning sun during my July 2017 hike
Approaching a fenced lookout of the upper drop of the Upper Twin Falls, which was looking right against the morning sun during my July 2017 hike

The trail would continue up more switchbacks as it headed towards the Homestead Valley Trailhead.

That said, this lookout was my turnaround point, which made this hike roughly 3 miles round trip.

When I returned to the trailhead, I was pretty surprised at how busy the trailhead became.

This was around 8:20am on a Sunday morning after getting a 6:25am start.

Twin_Falls_Olallie_17_103_07302017 - Descending back towards the bridge over the Twin Creek as I was headed back to the trailhead
Descending back towards the bridge over the Twin Creek as I was headed back to the trailhead

So despite its relative lack of notoriety compared to Snoqualmie Falls, Twin Falls was still quite a popular attraction.

Authorities

Twin Falls resides in Olallie State Park near North Bend in King County, Washington. It is administered by the Washington State Parks. For information or inquiries about this area as well as current conditions, visit their website.

Maps and Routing Content are for annual subscribers. See Membership Options.
Content is for subscribers. See Membership Options.
Tagged with: olallie, issaquah, king, seattle, bellevue, snoqualmie pass, washington, waterfall, cascades



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Great hike (Twin Falls – correction) August 25, 2015 10:12 pm by JT and Colin and Grammy - Hiked here with my 4 year old son. Great hike, but it's exit 34 off I-90, not 35. ...Read More

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Johnny Cheng

About Johnny Cheng

Johnny Cheng is the founder of the World of Waterfalls and author of the award-winning A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls. Over the last 2 decades, he has visited thousands of waterfalls in over 40 countries around the world and nearly 40 states in the USA.
Read More About Johnny | A Guide to New Zealand Waterfalls.