Continue along the trail, following Whatcom Creek to Whirlpool Falls. “It definitely sounds like we had an individual here that risked a lot to get in and help this person out,” Hewett said. also with 2 playgrounds, picnic shelters, fishing pond for kids...great place for families. He found the victim wedged between rocks. Pacific. whatcom falls park map whatcom falls park weather whatcom falls park fall colors whatcom falls park explosion whatcom falls park cliff jumping whatcom falls park pipeline disaster. This park dates to the 1890s, however, it became a city park in 1908. There is no charge for admission to the park. Sign up for the Afternoon Update and get the day’s biggest stories in your inbox. A man, believed to be in his teens, slipped down a steep cliff Sunday afternoon in Whatcom Falls Park and had to be rescued by a team that included the Bellingham Fire Department. Gradon Lee “Grady” Barstad, then 43, leaped from a 30-foot-tall boulder into a rocky part of the creek near the Whirlpool April 13, 2014, and nearly drowned. It's not the height of the drop, but the whirlpools underneath that hold you under. The park has two different playgrounds, bathroom facilities, covered picnic … Personally, I’ll go cliff jumping anywhere, and the cliff in Whatcom Falls Park that overlooks a miniature waterfall is a nice height—about forty five feet. Cliff diving (cliff jumping) is a dangerous sport and all precautions must be taken. Whatcom Falls are waterfalls combined with a park, hiking trails, and swimming holes for the sake of enjoyment. Cliff Jumping Safety: Cliff Jumping Adventures should be used as a general guide to find suitable locations for cliff jumping. The man’s name wasn’t known late Friday, or his condition. Other features include: A 22-year-old man was pulled from the water by two others after he jumped into a popular swimming hole at Whatcom Falls Park Friday evening, June 19, and didn’t resurface. This is a popular swimming hole and cliff jumping area during warmer months. Read more. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. It’s almost a rite of passage for high schoolers in Bellingham to jump off this cliff. There are no supervised swimming areas in the Whatcom Falls Park.”. Whatcom Falls itself is a popular bathing spot, but downstream Whirlpool Falls is certainly the park's epicenter for refreshment. Cliff jumping pictures and jumper listing, cliff diving, ... Luke and Jesse just after some great jumping at Whatcom Falls. Exploring the Hidden Treasures in Whatcom Falls Park Bellingham WA. Local Tip: Arrive to the waterfall early to claim your spot! A wooden fence blocks people from getting to the boulders above the Whirlpool, but it can be easily bypassed. The ritual, however, has been far from risk-free. “He made a couple of dives to try to locate him,” Hewett said. By Katharine Q. Seelye All rights reserved. GoPro Slow Motion. Cliff-jumping into the Whirlpool, as the swimming hole is known, has long been a rite of passage for many Bellingham locals on warm, sunny days and evenings — no matter that there are signs warning against doing so. Lake Crescent Lodge Beach (KF, RR) Lake Crescent, La Poel Day Use Area (RR) The falls are best viewed in winter and spring. Whatcom Falls Park, Bellingham: Hours, Address, Whatcom Falls Park Reviews: 4.5/5. It’s about more than standing on the mountain top. whatcom creek is stunning and there are multiple waterfalls to check out. It’s about protecting what sustains us. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Here, at the 8-foot cascade, a relatively deep pool makes for a perfect swimming spot, and 20- to 25-foot cliffs surround its waters where folks of all ages take the plunge. Someone called 911 at 6:54 p.m. Friday to report that a man had jumped off some rocks and into water below in an area known as the Whirlpool, according to Bill Hewett, assistant chief for the Bellingham Fire Department. Once you jump off the waterfall, swim or walk to the left side of the falls to climb back up. I love Whatcom Falls Park! They started CPR and were able to get a pulse. Whatcom Falls Park is a 241-acre (0.98 km 2) park in Bellingham, Washington, United States.The falls are on Whatcom Creek, which leads from Lake Whatcom to Bellingham Bay.The park has four sets of waterfalls and several miles of well maintained walking trails. Others have altered the rest of their lives due to injuries obtained from cliff diving. A teenage girl, Katie Hofstetter, slipped on a boulder and fractured her spine at the Whirlpool swimming area in 2005. look for a mtn bike pump track coming soon Use common sense. Whatcom Falls is a mere 100-yards from the parking area, while Whirlpool Falls is another 0.3 miles downstream past Whatcom Falls. The word "Whatcom" is derived from a native word meaning "noisy water," and it is appropriate here, where Whatcom Creek Park explodes with bathers, swimmers, cliff jumpers and general weekend warriors in the months of summer when temperatures get above 80 degrees. By Bellingham paramedics transported a man to St. Joseph hospital with serious injuries Saturday afternoon after he reportedly was found unconscious in Whatcom Falls Park while jumping … There are three and a half miles of trails in Whatcom Falls Park. Share. New York Times. “They were able to go in, free him from the rocks and then get him up and out of the water,” Hewett said. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. © 2020 Outdoor Project. Whatcom Falls + Whirlpool Falls (CJ) Baker Lake, Lower Sandy Beach + Campsites (RR) San Juan Islands. Many people have died cliff diving; even from a low height. This includes injuries and/or legal issues. A WPA-built stone bridge greets visitors, just … He asked another man for help. Way too many people die at Whatcom falls each summer. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. DIRECTIONS: Park near the corner of Woburn and Iowa Street; Across the street is the entrance to Whatcom Falls Park The word "Whatcom" is derived from a native word meaning "noisy water," and it is appropriate here, where Whatcom Creek Park explodes with bathers, swimmers, cliff jumpers and general weekend warriors in the months of summer when temperatures get above 80 degrees. even cliff jumping is an option. Is the pool that is 5-7 feet deep the same pool where the cliff jumping is available? Woman who ‘birthed so much of today’s sex positive culture’ dies at 83 in Bellingham, Protesters block roads, enter City Hall in response to planned Camp 210 cleanup, Two injured in hatchet attack at Bellingham homeless camp at City Hall, Here’s where Whatcom may see some snow this weekend, Whatcom business won’t be reopening in January, latest Healthy Washington data shows, Whatcom sees 3 deaths Thursday, tops 5,000 total COVID-19 cases as 73 confirmed, Whatcom sees 60 new COVID-19 cases Saturday, state reports, Ready to try out indoor dining at a Whatcom restaurant? Hewett praised the first person who went in searching for the victim. It’s about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. He went underwater and didn’t come back up. the falls are easily accessed from the parking lot with a short walk down the paved trail leading to beautiful stone bridge that cross the falls giving a perfect view of the falls. We are not responsible for anything relating to your cliff jumping experience. Bellingham Tourism; ... We didn’t get to splash but there were lots of people swimming and cliff jumping, chilling with … It wasn’t known Friday how long the victim had been underwater. Signs warn of danger in jumping, but it's a popular place when the weather is hot. While actually the smallest falls on Whatcom Creek, this is probably my favorite and is one of the better photography subjects in the area. Real-time updates and all local stories you want right in the palm of your hand. On a hot summer day, many brave souls will jump from the cliffs around the falls. Bring a camera, but jump at your own risk. Whatcom Falls Park: Beautiful park - See 920 traveler reviews, 450 candid photos, and great deals for Bellingham, WA, at Tripadvisor. Filmed handheld on the Sony RX100V in 4K and HFR modes. We went to Whatcom Falls Park for the purpose of hiking, and were amazed at the beauty of the park. great spot for a walk. People also have died when they jumped or fell into the water in other parts of the park. The two didn’t know each other. Whirlpool Falls is located just outside of Bellingham in Whatcom Falls park. Further west, an observation area overlooks Whatcom Creek at the Olympic Pipeline explosion site. you can also walk around to get on top of the falls. great spot for a walk. Pool only 5 to 7 feet deep. Shaded swimming hole with cliff jumping. A brief outing with friends in Bellingham, WA. Many routes wind through the forests here, some overlooking the creek gorge and still pools. After a near-drowning at Whatcom Falls Park, a cliff-jumper remained in critical condition at St. Joseph hospital Saturday, June 20. After nabbing a beloved Boomer’s hamburger, we’d suggest heading to Whatcom Falls and Whirlpool Falls. The victim was taken to St. Joseph hospital. Dahl said he enjoys cliff jumping because it is fun, while Vandehoef and Stevenson both enjoy the thrill and adventure it provides. The victim wasn’t breathing when Bellingham fire crews arrived. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. Helpful. People take turns jumping from a cliff at Bellingham's Whatcom Falls Park in May. Very heavily used during summer weekends. Whatcom Falls itself is a popular bathing spot, but downstream Whirlpool Falls is certainly the park's epicenter for refreshment. Orcas Island: Moran State Park Campgrounds, The Best Winter Adventures in North America. Another man, who was perhaps in his late teens, noticed and went into Whatcom Creek there to search. She was paralyzed from the waist down. Access 650K+ miles of trail data, offline maps, GPS tracking + waypoint functionality, Outdoor Project adventures, and more, using onX Backcountry. Some wind through open meadows, while others stay in deep forest. Just because your friends dare you to jump is no reason to do so. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Be sure to bring a jacket, Hate hearing train horns in Bellingham and Whatcom? There may be some relief in sight, House fire in Bellingham prompts reminder of proper fireplace ash removal. Whatcom Falls Park: Pleasant walking area - See 918 traveler reviews, 450 candid photos, and great deals for Bellingham, WA, at Tripadvisor. you can also walk around to get on top of the falls. In fact, Whatcom Creek is so popular that the city put up little resistance to the swimmers' obsession, and before long the area was again a mecca of summer recreation. Lake Dale Resort + Campground (KF, RR) Western Olympic Peninsula. It's up highway 20, about an hour from here, but the jumps are amazing and can be 60+feet tall in places. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Whatcom Falls….one of the greatest parks in Whatcom County.There is so much to do; walking, running, biking, swimming, cliff diving, fishing, duck watching, exploring. Cliff jumping (CJ) Restrooms/Vault toilets (RR) Hike-in required (H) Bellingham + Mount Baker Area. Whatcom Falls Park is in Bellingham, Washington; surrounded by the city of Bellingham and Lake Whatcom. Such an impressive little camera! the falls are easily accessed from the parking lot with a short walk down the paved trail leading to beautiful stone bridge that cross the falls giving a perfect view of the falls. Access within Bellingham. There you will find a knotted rope to aid in your climb. A fall, jump or dive may result in serious injuries. Previous Next. My favorite place for cliff jumping is Baker Lake. After the 1999 Olympic Pipeline explosion the creek was designated off limits for bathers, but it wasn't long before the summer crowds came back to their favorite swimming hole ignoring all cautionary signage. BELLINGHAM A 22-year-old man was pulled from the water by two others after he jumped into a popular swimming hole at Whatcom Falls Park Friday evening, June 19, … Both sides of the creek there, near a wooden bridge, have signs warning visitors in all capital letters: “Water below is shallow in spots and contains large rocks. Western junior Bobby Oxsen transferred to Western in winter quarter of 2012 and has been cliff jumping for three years. These holes catch those that are cliff jumping as well. A native word meaning “noisy water,” Whatcom … the jewel of the park is the namesake whatcom falls. the jewel of the park is the namesake whatcom falls. The only problem is the teenagers in the summer who take over the whirlpool cliff-jumping and swimming area. It's a great time. Date of experience: June 2020. St. James devoted her life to the cause of decriminalizing prostitution and destigmatizing its practitioners. Nov 15, 2015 - Jumping off the Whirlpool Falls cliffs at Whatcom Falls Park. Note: Both falls are best accessed from the park's lower parking lot. Luke hittin' a back flip off a cliff into a lake in Arizona. It’s about nourishment and learning. We took the main trail, and it was for the most part an easy hike. It is one of 5 falls in the park. We simply provide a general guide to cliff jumping locations. Cliff jumping is one of those crazy things that gives people exhilarating rushes of adrenaline. 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