Mazama Falls

Mazama Falls, also referred to more simply as Wells Creek Falls (though this is incorrect, as there is a Wells Creek Falls downstream), is a waterfall on Wells Creek in the U.S. state of Washington. At nearly 500 ft high, it is said to be the largest waterfall in the Wells Creek watershed.

The falls drops 500 ft in three main tiers. The uppermost tier is formed as Wells Creek squeezes between a "pinched" cliff and falls over 200 ft in a horsetail form, reminiscent of Nevada Falls in Yosemite National Park. Directly after this drop is a 100 ft plunge, which falls into a water-sculpted bowl. The third tier is a short distance downstream, plunging about 150 ft in a segmented form. The waterfall is also said to have four more smaller tiers, the largest of which is 50 ft.

The waterfall is easily seen from Wells Creek Road #33 in the Mount Baker Wilderness Area, approximately 7.5 mi from Washington State Route 542. About 0.75 mi below Mazama Falls is the 40 ft rapids called Lower Mazama Falls. About 1.5 mi downstream of Mazama Falls is Wells Creek Falls, a 90 ft plunge.