That was the weather forecast for the Cascade Creek area on the morning we planned to make this trip the other day. So, we cancelled. Very disappointing! Then, to make it worse, the bad weather never happened and it turned out to be a beautiful day!
The Cascade Creek and Terraced Falls area is truly one of the hidden gems of YNP. Remote, rarely visited, and spectacular. There are probably some who don't like me telling you about this area because of a concern that it will be "over visited". But, it's a part of YNP and, if you're able to make the hike, worth the effort to see.
Just remember if you go, this is not a stroll down your local greenbelt. It's wilderness. You'll be a long way from anywhere. No snack shacks or cell phone service. You could be the only ones on the trail, or you might be surrounded by 50 Boy Scouts from an area camp. Either way, be in good shape, have the right gear and know how to travel safely in grizzly bear country.
Cascade Creek tumbles down through it's little canyon over rocks and through pools until it joins the Falls River. Continue on down the Falls River to Terraced Falls. Stand on the stone pillars that surround the falls and look down between your toes at the torrent below.
Can't go a year without visiting the place. We're going back this fall.
In “Yellowstone Waterfalls and Their Discovery”, the authors wrote, “Because the (Cascade Creek) trail parallels what is surely, inch for inch, one of the most scenic streams in the park, we believe it is an ideal place for the novice Yellowstone hiker”. Terraced Falls is “highly recommended for anyone who wants an introductory taste of the Yellowstone backcountry”.
The picture above shows Cascade Creek where it enters the canyon at the beginning of the hike.
Terraced Falls. This is a picture I pulled off the internet. The trail leads to the top of the rocks on the right side of this picture. Getting to the spot where this picture was taken from requires fording the river above the falls, hiking through the timber and climbing down the canyon rocks. I'm grateful to the photog who took this picture. It's a great shot of the Falls.
