Snoqualmie Falls From Below
Snoqualmie Falls is a breathtaking convergence of natural beauty, cultural significance, and industrial innovation. Nestled in Washington State, about 30 miles east of Seattle, the falls are a jewel of the Pacific Northwest. They are part of the Snoqualmie River, which originates high in the Cascade Mountains, and vary dramatically with the seasons. In spring, when snowmelt swells the river, the falls roar with thunderous energy that can be felt in your chest from a distance. By summer, they mellow into a more graceful cascade, serene but no less striking. Around them, the dense greenery of the region thrives year-round, with moss-draped rocks and towering evergreens providing the perfect backdrop for taking in the beauty of Snoqualmie Falls.
For the Snoqualmie Tribe, the falls are so much more than a scenic landmark. They hold profound spiritual meaning, tying the tribe to their ancestral lands and traditions. In Snoqualmie mythology, the falls are the birthplace of the world…the place where the first people emerged. The mist rising from the base is said to carry prayers to the Creator, a serving as a tangible connection between the heavens and the earth. This sacredness has endured for centuries, even as modern development has crept in. For the tribe, protecting the falls and the surrounding area is about more than preserving their history; it’s about safeguarding their spiritual heritage, as well as the land’s ecological health, for future generations.
The industrial history of Snoqualmie Falls adds another layer to its story. Back in 1898, the Snoqualmie Falls Hydroelectric Plant became one of the world’s first underground power plants…an engineering marvel of its time. Constructed beneath the falls, the plant harnessed the sheer force of the falling water to generate electricity, fueling homes and businesses in the growing Puget Sound region. Today, the plant is still humming along, providing renewable energy while preserving the natural beauty above. It’s a place where ancient spirituality and modern ingenuity exist side by side.
The trail to the base of the falls is equal parts peaceful and challenging. Ferns blanketed the ground, their fronds unfurling in delicate patterns, while towering Douglas firs and Western red cedars stretched skyward, their branches creating a natural canopy. The air was rich with the scent of pine and damp earth, as if the forest itself had exhaled after a rainstorm. Every so often, the path would open to a view of the river, where the water sparkled in the shifting sunlight.
When I finally reached the base, I wasn’t prepared for the scale of the falls. At 268 feet, the waterfall is almost 100 feet taller than Niagara Falls, and it feels every bit as massive. Looking up, the water seemed to fall from the sky itself, a white torrent stark against the forested cliffs. The seemingly endless cascade crashed down into the pool below, sending mist into the air in a constant, cooling spray. The sheer drop created a roar that was deafening, reverberating off the cliffs that surrounded the gorge.
Around me, other visitors stood in awe, their voices drowned out by the sound of the falls. Families snapped photos, children pointed excitedly as rainbows formed and disappeared in the mist, and couples held hands, sharing private moments. I wandered along the trail, looking for the perfect angle. Finding a clear view without people wandering into the frame required patience and timing
Eventually, I found a small outcropping of rocks that offered an unobstructed view of the falls. I framed my shot, careful to include a person in the foreground to give the falls their proper sense of scale. The scene was perfect: the waterfall crashing down over jagged rocks into a misty pool, surrounded by lush vegetation and steep cliffs. It was nature flexing its muscles, raw and untamed…and absolutely breathtaking.