Van Trump Falls

Van Trump Falls, also called Bloucher Falls, is a three-tier cascade on Van Trump Creek in a narrow gorge along the Comet Falls Trail. It sits before Comet Falls, so it makes a memorable pause on a demanding uphill hike, not a roadside stop.

The falls are about 1.6 to just under 1.9 trail miles from the trailhead. The full out-and-back to Comet Falls is 3.8 miles with about 900 feet of climbing and takes around three hours. The small lot holds about 16 cars and often fills; save your driving directions before leaving cell coverage. Trailhead amenities aren't identified, so bring what you need for the hike. Snow and avalanche debris can make the route hazardous until summer. Wait for the trail to melt out and check conditions before setting off. Dogs aren't allowed on park trails.

The gorge tightens around Van Trump Creek, and the canyon walls hide part of the upper tiers from the usual viewing spot. A footlog crossing gets you close to the lower cascades and the stream. For a photo, include the crossing and creek to show the scale of the gorge instead of framing only the white water.

Van Trump Creek is snowmelt-fed. The falls generally run strongest in early summer and after autumn rain, then may lose flow by late summer. Snow can linger on this trail into summer, and avalanche debris can remain a hazard, so check the park's current trail conditions before you go.

The water steps over a basalt formation in a narrow gorge. Floods in October 2003 and November 2006 scoured the banks as high as about 25 feet above the streambed, leaving more of the cascade exposed from the footbridge.

You may see this waterfall called Bloucher Falls; it's the same feature as Van Trump Falls, not a second stop on the trail. The name is linked to a member of an early climbing party, though the person's identity isn't clear.