Rainbow Falls, Waterfall in Cascade Mountains, Washington.
Rainbow Falls drops roughly 80 feet over a rocky outcrop into the Horsepasture River, creating a white curtain of water. The cascade flows over smooth stone surfaces and offers several viewing spots along the stream.
Since the 1800s, this waterfall served as an important landmark for pioneers and settlers traveling through the Cascade Mountains. The location became a known reference point for those navigating the rugged terrain.
Indigenous peoples regarded this location as sacred and performed ceremonies here, believing in spiritual forces connected to the flowing water. The site still holds deep significance for local communities today.
A maintained hiking path starts from the main parking area and reaches the waterfall over roughly 1.5 miles, with mostly even ground that is easy to walk. Water flow is strongest after rainfall, which also enhances the viewing experience.
The falling water creates a natural mist in morning hours that produces continuous rainbows when sunlight hits it at the right angle. This optical effect occurs only when the sun is low in the sky and strikes the water vapor directly.
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