Exploring An Unmarked Waterfall

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Imperfection Falls is the lower and larger of two notable waterfalls along Donkey Creek near its confluence with the Humptulips River. The falls drop a total of 51 feet in three distinct steps, the upper and middle falls averaging 10 feet across and the lower tier perhaps double that. The uppermost tier of the falls is the most significant, a cascading horsetail type fall which tumbles 23 feet into a large pool approximately 120 feet in diameter. Upon exiting the pool the creek glides across smooth bedrock for a dozen yards and then tumbles 11 feet over the middle tier, and then quickly cascades another 17 feet over the lower tier. The stream splits into multiple channels as it cascades over the lower drop, more than one of which likely will run dry during the late summer months.

Donkey Creek drains a basin which covers approximately 6.6 square miles in area upstream from the falls. The otherwise modest size of the basin is augmented by the significant annual precipitation which falls on this part of Washington State, much of which is seasonal, and as a result the volume of the stream at the waterfall can fluctuate wildly as the seasons progress. Strongest flows will be present during the November to March period, while a greatly reduced flow should be anticipated from July to mid-October.