Upper Elk Creek Falls is a 30-foot, two-step cascade on Elk Creek in Clearwater County, Idaho, the uppermost of the falls in the Elk Creek Falls Recreation Area near the town of Elk River. It sits above Elk Creek Falls, the tallest drop in the canyon, and is reached by a spur off the same Forest Service trail network.
The falls
The falls consists of steep tiered cascades, with lidar data showing a drop of about 30 feet in two distinct steps, with the falls more than 30 feet wide. Elk Creek canyon is lined with columnar basalt.
Getting there
The falls are reached on Elk Creek Falls Trail 740, rated easy to moderate, with repeated climbs and descents over 2.1 miles each way to take in the three main falls. The trail runs about a mile to a Y junction; the left branch, Trail 742, climbs past the Middle Falls viewpoint, and a short spur beyond it leads to the Upper Falls viewpoint. The trailhead near Elk River has restrooms, picnic tables, grills and trail information, with ample parking and no fee.
When to go
In winter, the last 2 miles to the trailhead are a ski or snowshoe trip from Highway 8.
On site
The falls are viewed from a built viewpoint at the end of the spur; visitors should stay within the viewpoint structures. The pool below the falls is used for swimming on hot days, and sandals or water shoes are helpful because the basalt is hard on bare feet. Dogs should be leashed.
History and name
The main route follows an old wagon road, passing the site of an old schoolhouse along it. The trail was certified as a National Recreation Trail on December 15, 1988.
Nearby
The rest of the Elk Creek group is close: Middle Elk Creek Falls is about 0.2 miles away, and Lower Elk Creek Falls is 0.3 miles. On the neighboring stream, Lower Bull Run Creek Falls is about 1 mile away.
Distances are straight-line.