Little Mashel River

Little Mashel River
Location of the mouth of the Little Mashel River in Washington Little Mashel River (the United States)
Location
Country	United States
State	Washington
County	Pierce County
City	Eatonville, Washington
Physical characteristics
Source	An unnamed lake
• location	Cascade Range, Pierce County, Washington
• coordinates	46°47′34″N 122°8′52″W
• elevation	2,830 ft (860 m)
Mouth	Mashel River
• location	Near Eatonville, Washington, Pierce County
• coordinates	46°47′34″N 122°08′52″W
• elevation	710 ft (220 m)

The Little Mashel River is a river in Pierce County, Washington. It is a tributary of the Mashel River, and enters the Mashel just 380 feet (116 m) downstream from the Eatonville, Washington, city limits. It is noted for its canyon and the three waterfalls.

Course

The Little Mashel begins in a small, unnamed lake located about 7.6 miles (12 km) southeast of Eatonville, Washington. Upon exiting the lake, the river, very small at this point, flows northeast for about .3 miles (483 m) before turning northwest for about 5.7 miles (9 km), merging with South Fork Little Mashel River about 4.9 miles (8 km) along the way. There, the river briefly turns southwest, picks up the waters of its only named tributary, Midway Creek, and then turns northwest again. It flows that way for another 1.2 miles (2 km) or so until its confluence with the Mashel. A short canyon that sees the river drop over three large, often visited waterfalls lies about .6 miles (966 m) above its mouth.

South Fork

The South Fork Little Mashel River begins about 1 mile (1,609 m) west of the lake the main fork begins in and flows northwest for about 4.1 miles (7 km) until it merges with the main fork of the Little Mashel not far upstream from where Midway Creek meets the Little Mashel.

See also

• Little Mashel River Waterfalls
• List of rivers in Washington

External links

• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Little Mashel River
• U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Little Mashel Falls