Alexander Falls | World Waterfall Database

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This waterfall has been surveyed, mapped and measured in person by the World Waterfall Database.

Alexander Falls is one of the major waterfalls in the Whistler area. Prior to the construction of the Callaghan Valley Nordic Center for the 2010 Winter Olympics, Alexander Falls was fairly obscure as the only road leading to the falls was a rough gravel track accessing Callaghan Lake Provincial Park. Currently, however, a new paved road passes next to the falls and the parking area has been expanded (though on my last visit there was no signage pointing out the falls). A viewpoint 20 meters from the parking lot overlooks the falls, which spill down a cliff of andesite in three steps. The falls are usually cited to drop 141 feet (43 meters), but upon surveying the falls in 2009 it was shown to be 173 feet (52 meters) tall. The falls flow well all year long, but during the winter because of the heavy snowfall and high elevation, the falls are usually frozen over.

HISTORY AND NAMES

Also Known as: Madeley Creek Falls
Alexander Falls is the Official name of this waterfall

Our thoughts

As long as the sign denoting the falls is replaced along the road, Alexander Falls should get quite a bit more recognition now that the new road up the Callaghan Valley is open. Though not as tall as nearby Brandywine Falls, Alexander Falls is by far a more interesting and photogenic waterfall as I see it, and it should certainly be considered among the major waterfall destinations along the Sea-to-Sky corridor.

Location and directions

Take the Sea-to-Sky Highway (Highway 99) north from Squamish to the marked Callaghan Valley Road - signed for the Nordic Center - and follow it for 9 km (1 1/2 km past the bridge over Callaghan Creek) and turn left into a large dirt parking area which may or may not be signed for the falls. If you make a sharp right turn along the main road, you've gone too far. The viewpoint is just meters from the parking area.

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Alexander Falls is shown in the center. The 10 closest waterfalls within a 8km radius are shown as well (if any). Click any icon or see the list below for more information.

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Photography tips

Alexander Falls is quite a scenic waterfall, though as the viewpoint is located opposite the wide canyon from the falls, compositions are limited. Longer focal lengths are suggested for a tight shot of the falls (perhaps 30-50mm), but because of the complexity of the falls one can shoot at wide to extreme close up. The falls face southwest and have a wide open exposure, so direct sunlight will not detract in the afternoon.

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Alexander Falls British Columbia, Canada