Sunset Falls, Waterfall observation point in Snohomish County, Washington, United States.
Sunset Falls is an observation point for a waterfall in Snohomish County, Washington, where the South Fork Skykomish River drops steeply over a rocky edge. The river flows through a narrow chute below, creating powerful spray patterns and turbulent water conditions.
On May 30, 1926, stunt performer Al Faussett ran the falls in a canoe while hundreds of people watched from the rocks beside them. He came through with only brief, minor internal pain, then went on to run Eagle Falls and many other falls in Oregon and Idaho. Local kayakers, notably Rob McKibbin and Sam Grafton, have since run the falls too.
Sunset Falls is the last of three waterfalls on the South Fork Skykomish River, near Index in Snohomish County. On 30 May 1926 stuntman Al Faussett ran the falls in a canoe before hundreds of spectators watching from the rocks on both sides; he came away with only brief minor internal pain. Local kayakers, notably Rob McKibbin and Sam Grafton, have since run it too.
There is currently no public access to Sunset Falls, so the falls cannot be reached or viewed from an official trail or viewpoint. The rapid is rated class 6, with unavoidable and potentially deadly hazards, and only a few local kayakers, including Rob McKibbin and Sam Grafton, have run it successfully.
In high water, potholes in the rock send water shooting out from the falls by as much as 30 feet (9 m). The chute itself is nearly 300 feet (91 m) long, and the river is thought to reach speeds of 60 km/h (37 mph).
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