Palouse Falls – A Natural Wonder Anytime of Year
Palouse Falls is visited by thousands each year. The number has increased markedly since it became the official state waterfall of Washington in 2014. Since then, I have listened to people at the park who admit that it is their first visit and are glad they took the time to do it.
Most visitors come during the spring runoff when the waterflow is the highest. If that has been your only experience, I invite you to some alternative options.
- Consider winter after two weeks of sub-freezing weather. The spray from the falls freezes on the surrounding basalt creating an icy wonderland. The longer the cold snap, the bigger the dome of ice builds at the base of the falls.
- Arrive in the dark before the sun comes up and enjoy the first rays of daylight. Or stay until the sun sets and darkness once again envelopes the falls.
- If you want another interesting day, arrive in the dark and stay all day until the sun sets. Try to do this on a sunny day and experience the shadows as they move across the falls and sometime in the afternoon you will see a rainbow in the spray.
I was recently visiting with my primary physician who reminisced about his time visiting the falls with his father. He said it was almost a spiritual experience which was also expressed by the Palouse Indians who lived in the area. You may have the same feeling, especially when the crowds are much smaller in the off-season and early and late hours.
By Lloyd Stoess, Palouse Falls Chapter President