Snoqualmie Falls is 28 miles southeast of Seattle. [File Photo: Adobestock]
Key Takeaways:
Snoqualmie Falls is a sacred site of great spiritual reverence for the Snoqualmie Tribe, which is disrupted by an increase in low-flying aircraft conducting tours and transiting the area.
The Tribe claims these low flights interfere with their ceremonies, prayers, and connection to ancestors, and also pose safety concerns, despite the falls being listed as a Traditional Cultural Property.
The Snoqualmie Tribe is appealing to the FAA to implement flight restrictions, including altitude limits, frequency controls, and potential no-fly periods, to protect the falls' sacredness and ensure public safety.
While one tour operator has ceased operations, the FAA is currently "working with all parties" to consider options, and broader pilot awareness and cooperation are needed.
Are the Snoqualmie Falls scenic or sacred? That depends on who you ask.
The falls, located approximately 28 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, are considered to be one of the most gorgeous natural wonders in the Evergreen State. They stand 268 feet tall and are very popular for aerial tours.
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Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.
