Template
Panther Creek Falls provides a wonderful multi-stream waterfall shot with vivid colors, unique rock shapes, and cascading water flows. The main waterfall actually takes a sharp turn before dropping to a pool at the base of the falls. Then an adjoining falls sends a new veil of water down the other side of the gorge.
The experience of first seeing Panther Falls after the stressful hike down to the base of the falls is breathtaking. For a photographer, this serene location offer endless compositional opportunities.
Images and location summary by Tim Wier
Trail Difficulty - MODERATE
I would rate the difficulty of this trail as a 2 on a scale of 1-5 (with 5 being most difficult). The hike to the viewing area and is only a short walk from the parking lot (200-300 yards). The hike to the base of the falls is a bit more challenging, but with caution you can get to the creek without too much difficulty.
For those that had been to Panther Creek Falls in the past know the hike down to the creek used to be a serious event. Now, there is a new maintained path down to the creek with a newly constructed viewing stand. - a welcomed additiona!! The new trail is found by walking down toward the viewing area and then veering to the left.
GPS Coordinates & Elevation
1,878 ft Elevation
Photography Tips
Directions
CLICK HERE to get driving directions the Panther Creek Falls trailhead/parking lot.
The closest town to Panther Creek Falls is Stevenson, WA (17.2 miles south).
From Stevenson, WA, drive approx. 3 miles east on WA-14 and take a LEFT at the turn-off toward Carson, WA (Wind River HWY). From the stop sign in Carson, travel north 4.8 miles and look for a small road called Old State Rd. (this is a small sign and is easy to miss). Take a right on Old State Rd. and travel only about 300 ft., then take a left (north) on Panther Creek Rd. / NF-65. Mark you odometer at this point.
Travel 7.2 miles on Panther Creek Rd. (which turns into NF-65). You will be traveling on a winding, narrow 2-lane paved road through thick trees with some elevation gain toward the end. At the 7.2 mile mark, you will see a moderately sized parking area on the right that holds 5-10 cars.
To confirm you are a Panther Creek Falls, walk across the paved road toward the sound of running water and you will see “PCF” spray painted in BLUE on the road just in front of a small opening through some trees / shrubs. There is also a small wooden sign that says Panther Creek Falls nailed to a tree above the opening. This is easily missed, as the sign is brown and stands high on the tree where your eye is not looking.
View In Google earth
EXIF Data
Focal Length – mm
Exposure – th sec @ f 8.0
ISO – 100
Date – xxx
Time – xxx
Best Time of Day to Shoot
The best time to shoot is either on an overcast day or early morning (as the sun will be behind the trees). Very late afternoon would work too, but is not preferred.
Best Time of Year
Spring, summer and fall are all good times to shoot these magnificent falls. However, late fall would be the best as with colors in the background make the scene really pop.
Lens(es) Needed
Depending on your composition, you can use
The photographic area is narrow, small and tall – so to capture the whole falls from below you need an extremely wide angle lens (11-16mm). An alternative would be to do a vertical pano stitch with a 24mm lens or wider. A perspective control lens would also be a benefit as you are pointing up to get the top of the falls.
Birds-Eye View
Permits
Direction of the Shot
The shot is xxx°.
Equipment Needed
Number of Other Photographers to Expect
Weather
It rains a great deal in this part of the country. If it is raining, the trail down to the creek becomes EXTREMELY SLICK and dangerous. I would suggest bringing a 50ft. rope to tie to a tree in the steep part of the trail.
Cell Service
I have Verizon and my cell service lasted to the turnoff onto Old State Rd. from Wind River Rd. There is no cell service at all on the 7 mile drive to Panther Creek Falls.
Area Guides and Workshops
None