Thousand Foot Falls, Mountain waterfall in Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Belize.
Thousand Foot Falls is a waterfall in the mountain forest of Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve that drops water from a narrow rock fissure. The stream appears thin and ribbon-like, especially during drier months when rainfall is limited.
Thousand Foot Falls National Monument was established in 2004 to protect the falls and the surrounding rainforest, a 1,290-acre (520 ha) area that is one of Belize's smallest protected areas. It is managed by Belize Karst Habitat Conservation together with the government. The monument shelters endangered species such as the scarlet macaw, jaguar, Baird's tapir and orange-breasted falcon.
The falls form the headwater of Roaring Creek, which runs north into a cave; the creek's name comes from the sound of the water. The site lies in the Maya Mountains, and the surrounding rainforest shelters scarlet macaws, jaguars, Baird's tapirs and orange-breasted falcons. Birdwatching draws visitors: eBird lists 252 species recorded here.
The location is reached by driving through unpaved forest roads in the reserve, which requires a vehicle capable of handling rough terrain. The path to the waterfall viewpoint is short but can become slippery when wet, so sturdy footwear is essential.
The name is a misnomer: the drop measures 1,600 feet (490 m) or more, which is believed to make it the tallest waterfall in Central America. From the outlook about 0.5 miles (0.80 km) away, only roughly the top third of the falls is visible.
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