Hamilton Falls

Hamilton Falls is a small waterfall on the Hamilton Lake trail above Emerald Lake, listed 0.8 km from the trailhead. It is a short detour, but don't count on a smooth path to the view: visitors describe narrow, rocky footing and a last scramble across rocks and a creek bed after the obvious trail fades. From the trail you may see only part of the falls, so skip the scramble if the footing or water makes it feel uncomfortable.

Start at Emerald Lake parking lot. The lot fills early in summer and on weekends, so have a backup plan if it is full. Hamilton Falls comes near the beginning of the Hamilton Lake trail; the full hike to the lake is 5.1 km one way, climbs 915 m and is listed as a five-hour return. Those figures are for the lake, not a falls-only visit.

The narrow chute threads through a gray-rock cleft. A low built wall sits below the upper drop, with a second cascade and pool beneath it; its origin is unconfirmed. A vertical frame that includes the cleft and both drops captures the falls' shape, though visitors report that the fullest view can take a short scramble over rocks and a creek bed.