Gold Creek is a tributary of the Tuhuya River, which drains the large, fault-created valley between Gold and Green Mountains in the Blue Hills. The creek begins in a series of small connected lakes and ponds, many of which are formed in part due to the heavy activity of the local beavers, which have created dams in several places. After flowing quietly from these lakes, the creek begins its descent down towards Lake Tahuya.
Within a half-mile of exiting its source, the creek has carved a large canyon through the thick glacial deposits here and into the gabbro and andesite/dacite dikes of the Blue Hills. At the head of this canyon is a small but charming set of cascades roughly 25 feet high, crashing over a series of gabbro outcrops and an andesite dike in eight or so drops; this is "Gold Creek Cascades."
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| "Gold Creek Cascades" in high water |
The cascades are relatively easy to access from the Gold Creek Trailhead. From the trailhead, simply follow the trail towards Gold Creek until it joins an old logging road. Walk along the road for about 10 minutes until you hear audibly rushing water to your left. At this point start looking for a side trail branching off and heading down towards the creek. This trail goes down the steep side of the canyon, dropping down until you come to the base of the cascades.
After the cascades, the creek continues its journey through the canyon towards the lake without encountering another set of cascades like the beginning. However, it does trip over several more outcrops of bedrock, creating some delightful chattering rapids and bouncing drops not more than four or five feet high. Following several of these whitewater features, the creek quiets and meanders peacefully through the forest before emptying into the lake.
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