The Highway 2 planners must have loved waterfalls: several raging falls are right along the roadside. Easternmost of these is Deception Falls, right along the highway approximately seven miles west of Stevens Pass. A short paved path crosses the Tye River and continues to a cascading torrent of water, but much more interesting is the half-mile nature trail that drops down along the river.

Educational plaques describe the forest and river, leading to two more impressive cataracts, both backdropped by the deep green rainforest. Some of this is second-growth timber, while other parts were never logged. The lowest falls is the biggest surprise, but I’ll let you discover it for yourself.

Deception Creek Trail starts on the south side of Highway 2 and provides a delicious old-growth forest hike. The trail climbs 10 miles (gaining almost 2,500 feet along the way) to Deception Pass in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness Area, where you can join up with the Pacific Crest Trail.

About 1.5 miles farther west, Alpine Falls drops 50 feet into the Tye River below; park on the south side of the highway and follow the can’t-miss path.

Bridal Veil Falls, a quarter mile east of the Index junction, vary with the season; summer brings two distinctive “veils,” while winter freezes the falls into a glistening sheet of ice.

Scenic Eagle Falls on the South Fork Skykomish River is a favorite place for summertime swimmers who play in the big jade-green plunge pool. Be careful if you join in the fun, since there are more falls just downstream. The falls are 11 miles west of Skykomish and right along Highway 2.