![Skagit River Hydroelectric Project sign](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9771.jpg)
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When the Skagit Hydroelectric project was being developed in the 30s and 40s, J.D. Ross developed the trail to the falls and the surrounding gardens as a showcase for the project as the Newhalem powerhouse was being constructed. The origin of the name of the creek is not known, but it is suspected to be based on the presence of the falls creating a natural "ladder" up the hillside. The falls were named for the creek. Ladder Creek Falls is the Official name of the waterfall shown below.
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![Skagit Stats on the Gorge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/sis/IMG_1245.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Powerhouse](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1667.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Powerhouse](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9774.jpg)
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Below: The suspension bridge leading to
the falls. Ilse Blahak did not like it because of the sign "Load
35 PSF". She told the two RV Gypsies not to put all their weight
on one board, and she was serious. Ilse and Lee are shown below just
entering the bridge. Ilse does not look happy. |
![sign: load 35 PSF](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9775.jpg)
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![Ilse Blahak and Lee Duquette on the suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9776.jpg)
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![the suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9777.jpg)
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![Karen and her sister on the suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1668-karen-ilse.jpg)
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Below: Views of the Ladder Creek Powerhouse |
![the Ladder Creek Powerhouse](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1670.jpg)
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![the Ladder Creek Powerhouse](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9778.jpg)
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Below: The creek as seen from the bridge. |
Below: The Powerhouse and garden |
![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1672.jpg) |
![Powerhouse and garden](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9782.jpg) |
Ladder Creek is fed by the Ladder Creek Glacier and would have a lot more volume were it not largely diverted into the Gorge Powerhouse. However as a result of the creek being drawn off above the falls, the stream remains one of the most consistent in the North Cascades, leaving the falls with just the right amount of water all year long. At night the gardens along the trail to the falls and the falls themselves are illuminated with colored lights. (see photos via the link at the bottom of this page) |
![pond in the garden area](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1676.jpg) |
![pond in the garden area](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/sis/IMG_1255.jpg) |
![flowers in the garden area](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9786.jpg)
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![flowers in the garden area](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9785.jpg)
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![flower in the garden area](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9789.jpg) |
Ladder Creek has cut itself a fairly impressive slot canyon which harbors a very pretty three-tiered waterfall. While the falls are easily visible from the rim of the gorge, all tiers of the falls are obscured in some way or another - some more than others - by the twisting walls of the chasm. The upper and middle tiers drop 34 and 28 feet in back-to-back fashion, but both are highly obstructed by the shape of the canyon. The 46-foot lower tier is the most visible of the set but can be partially obstructed unless viewing it in a very specific area (near a large tree right next to the stairs).
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![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1682.jpg) |
![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1685.jpg) |
![lower part of Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9791.jpg)
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![lower part of Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9790.jpg)
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![lower part of Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9794.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9797.jpg)
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Lee Duquette and Ilse Blahak on the bridge |
![Lee and Ilse on the bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9798.jpg)
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![Lee and Ilse on the bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9799.jpg)
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![Lee and Ilse on the bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9801.jpg)
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![Karen and her sister on the bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1686-karen-ilse.jpg)
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![Lee on the bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/sis/IMG_1264-lee.jpg) |
![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/sis/IMG_1265.jpg) |
![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9805.jpg) |
![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9804.jpg) |
![Ladder Creek](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9807.jpg)
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![Karen Duquette at Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/small-camera/DSCF1687-karen.jpg)
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![The creek at Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9803.jpg)
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Total Height of waterfall: 108 feet
Tallest Drop: 46 feet
Number of Drops: 3
Average width: 10 feet
Pitch: 85 degrees
Run: 150 feet
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9810.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9811.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9814.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9815.jpg)
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![stairs to the next tier](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9817.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/sis/IMG_1279.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9814.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9815.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9810.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Falls](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9811.jpg)
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Below: Ilse Blahak took a picture of
Lee and Karen Duquette, and then Karen took Ilse's picture |
![the two RV Gypsies](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/sis/IMG_1287-karen-lee.jpg)
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![Ilse Blahak](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9819.jpg)
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![water wheel](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9821.jpg)
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![bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9823.jpg) |
After enjoying the falls,
the two RV Gypsies and Ilse Blahak crossed over the small suspension
bridge to return to their car. |
![the small suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9824.jpg)
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![small suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9825.jpg)
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![view from suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9826.jpg)
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![Lee Duquette approaching the suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/sis/IMG_1295-lee.jpg)
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Below:
Lee Duquette heard Ilse Blahak's command, once again, NOT to put all
of his weight in one spot, so of course that meant he had to walk in
a weird manner as he crossed the bridge.
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![Lee Duquette on the suspension bridge](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9827.jpg)
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![Ladder Creek Powerhouse](2015-06-16-travel-washington/6-20-ladder creek powerhouse gorge/_DSC9829.jpg)
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