A 5.0 mile round trip hike that leads to a beautiful 25 foot waterfall. Cherry Creek Falls Hike is a half a day hike near Duvall, WA. The elevation gain is not much, about 500 feet. It is suitable for all skill levels and to get in that good cardio workout!
Where is Cherry Creek Falls Hike?
Google maps to the rescue, you can just type in “Cherry Creek Falls Trailhead” or you can get the coordinates from Washington Trails Association. This trailhead is just outside of Duvall and straightforward to get to. One thing to note, this trail begins on a private property and then winds down into the forest. There is no clear marking of the trailhead except for a small sign which says – trail access at the blue gate.
The blue gate is easy to find and you will see the trail from that gate.
When is the best time to hike the Cherry Creek Falls Trail?
We hiked in mid April, which we think is a great time for this hike. The falls are in full flow, the weather is not unbearably hot and the footfall is relatively less compared to summer. Summer can be crowded and the falls tend to dry up as summer progresses.
Early spring would be ideal for a gushing waterfall.
What to know before you hike Cherry Creek Falls?
Parking
The most important thing before you venture into the forest, is to make sure your car is not towed away when you are in there. There is NO designated parking spot at the cherry creek falls hike/trailhead. You can park your car by the side of the road. Be sure to take a close look at no parking signs. Getting there early morning or late in the afternoon should get you a nice spot by the road.
Trail
The trail can get muddy during early spring due to rain. Summer should be fine. A good hiking boot is recommended. The trail has an elevation of only about 500 feet, so an easy to moderate one if you are looking for a long walk. It is also pretty shaded throughout the hike.
Map/GPS
Highly recommend that you carry a map/gps/all trails app pro version. The trail does not have signs at many places and leads to different trails in between. We got lost twice while heading back from the falls! So instead of a 5 mile hike we did a 7 mile hike, lol. While hiking to the falls, it was easy since we could hear the falls as we got near it. Getting back was confusing, since all trails look the same.
Look for that famous car wreck on the trail!
Food and Garbage
It’s a short hike that can probably be completed in 3- 3.5 hours even if you spend enough time at the falls. It is peaceful to watch the falls and have a snack (as a reward). We recommend that food or anything disposable be carried back with you as there are no garbage bins around the trailhead or on the trail.
Restrooms
There are NO restrooms near the trailhead or on the trail. Be sure to be prepared 🙂
Verdict
Easy shaded hike and a beautiful waterfall. If you are looking for a 5 mile long walk with very less elevation and a rewarding view at the end, this is it!
