Linton Falls Add-on Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Connecting hikes: Linton Lake Hike
- End point: Linton Falls
- Hike Type: Out and back
- Distance: 1.0 miles
- Elevation gain: 700 feet
- High point: 4,300 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: Mid summer to fall
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Never
Contents |
Hike Description
The hike/bushwhack to Linton Falls is short but extremely steep. It passes a lower falls along the route as well. The lower falls is around 80 feet tall, and the main waterfall is over six hundred feet tall. It is one of the tallest waterfalls in Oregon, though a surprisingly small number of people know about it. To get to Linton Falls, take the Linton Lake Hike to Obsidian Creek, and then continue on a less obvious route around the lake to a few campsites near the mouth of Linton Creek. Note that the area was partially burned during the 2017 Separation Creek Fire.
From there, search around for a small trail leading up the hill steeply. Once you find it, follow it up steep switchbacks as it climbs up alongside the gorge of Linton Creek. Stay away from the stream, but don't let the roar of Linton Creek go out of earshot. The trail gets harder to follow as it climbs up the hillside along the creek. Soon, the creek's roar should get considerably louder. Look to your right to see the lower falls. Take a break, or if you are too tired to continue, this would be a good turn around point. From the lower falls, continue on the faint path up a few larger switchbacks as the trail wanders away from the creek a bit. In a bit, the trail nears the creek again, and you get a view of the falls from the base. You can bushwhack to up close for a better view, and then return to the small trail. The route gets even less evident and starts climbing steeper and steeper up the side of Linton Falls. Eventually come to a spot fifteen feet away from the raging water, about halfway up this monster of a waterfall. The trail seems to continue, but it is definitely not recommended after this point. A slip and fall here would be a certain and horrible death. Turn around, and scramble down the 700-800 feet back to the lake.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- Self-issued wilderness permit needed
- Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required
- Central Cascades Wilderness Permit for overnight stays required ($6 reservation fee: June 15th - October 15th)
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Linton Falls
- Linton Falls
- west cascades waterfalls/fall colors 10-8 to 10-11
- linton falls in the sisters wilderness 8-11
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Linton Falls
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- none
More Links
- Linton Falls from Linton Lake (wanderingyuncks)
- A 14 Mile Expedition to Linton Falls (Eugene Cascades Coast)
- Hiking to Linton Falls (The Calignonian)
- Hike to Linton Falls (The Outbound)
- Linton Falls (Oregon Waterfalls)
- Linton Falls (Oregon Waterfalls.net)
- Linton Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
Contributors
- pyles_94 (creator)