Difference between revisions of "Drift Creek Falls Hike"
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| − | + | [[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | |
| + | [[Category:Coast Range]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Siuslaw National Forest]] | ||
[[Category:All Season Hikes]] | [[Category:All Season Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Creek Hikes]] | [[Category:Creek Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Crowded Hikes]] | [[Category:Crowded Hikes]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Family | + | [[Category:Family Hikes]] |
| − | + | ||
| − | + | ||
[[Category:Waterfall Hikes]] | [[Category:Waterfall Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
[[Image:DriftCreekFalls2.JPG|thumb|300px|Drift Creek Falls ''(Paul Gerald)'']] | [[Image:DriftCreekFalls2.JPG|thumb|300px|Drift Creek Falls ''(Paul Gerald)'']] | ||
[[Image:BridgeUp.JPG|thumb|250px|Looking up at the bridge from the base of the falls. ''Photo courtesy of Sahale, LLC. Photograph by Carroll Vogel]] | [[Image:BridgeUp.JPG|thumb|250px|Looking up at the bridge from the base of the falls. ''Photo courtesy of Sahale, LLC. Photograph by Carroll Vogel]] | ||
[[Image:DriftCreekFalls_GregLief.jpg|thumb|250px|Drift Creek Falls ''(Greg Lief)'']] | [[Image:DriftCreekFalls_GregLief.jpg|thumb|250px|Drift Creek Falls ''(Greg Lief)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:DriftCreekSuspensionBridge.jpg|thumb|250px|Suspension Bridge ''(Greg Lief)'']] | ||
| − | + | {{Start point|Drift Creek Falls Trailhead}} | |
* End point: [[Drift Creek Falls]] | * End point: [[Drift Creek Falls]] | ||
* Trail Log: [[Drift Creek Falls Hike/Log | Trail Log]] | * Trail Log: [[Drift Creek Falls Hike/Log | Trail Log]] | ||
* Hike Type: Out and Back | * Hike Type: Out and Back | ||
{{Distance|3.0 miles}} round trip | {{Distance|3.0 miles}} round trip | ||
| − | + | {{Elevation gain|490 feet}} | |
| − | + | {{Difficulty|Moderate}} | |
* Seasons: Year round | * Seasons: Year round | ||
* Family Friendly: Yes | * Family Friendly: Yes | ||
| Line 25: | Line 27: | ||
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | |||
| − | The trail starts by | + | This hike offers something for everyone, a waterfall, a huge suspension bridge and a nice view of Coast Range forest. The trail is wide and well maintained. The only flaw may be that it's elevation backwards; you have a nice stroll down, then you need to climb back out, though the well-graded trail makes the climb fairly easy. |
| + | |||
| + | The trail starts by contouring down the forested slope below the trailhead. The trail is timbered in 50 year old regrowth, but there's a nearby clear cut, visible through the trees. Together, they create an interesting study of the forest healing itself. After a bit, the trail rounds a gentle ridge and heads back westward into a small side canyon. You may hear voices from across the way and soon you'll see that the trail goes back down the other side of the valley, creating a charming little U turn with a couple of small bridges over trickling, seasonal creeks. Just past the U, there's a trail junction. The uphill trail is a longer, alternate loop that rejoins the main trail in another half mile. It's not as well maintained as the main trail and has more elevation gain, but includes some old growth forest. | ||
| − | Continuing down the main trail, you'll again round a ridge and start heading down to a larger stream. You'll hear the water as you descend. Towards the bottom the trail | + | Continuing down the main trail, you'll again round a ridge and start heading down to a larger stream. You'll hear the water as you descend, crossing a small footbridge where you will and see a larger bridge over Drift Creek, below. Towards the bottom of the canyon the trail meets the alternate route at a switchback, just before the trail reaches the bridge over the Drift Creek. There's a bench on the opposite side of the stream and this is a reasonalby safe area for kids to wade in the creek here, as well. |
| − | Beyond | + | Beyond the footbridge over Drift Creek, the trail passes a few large trees and more recovering forest of young conifers draped in moss and lichens. Soon, you'll abruptly arrive at [[Drift Creek Falls Suspension Bridge|"The" bridge]]. Here, Drift Creek suddenly plunges 75 feet into a basalt gorge, 100 feet below the suspension bridge. The bridge is certainly sturdy enough to carry you, but it does sway a bit as you cross, so can be intimidating to those uncomfortable with heights. There's a clearing in the first that serves for a good picnic stop, but the best view of the falls is about a quarter mile further, where the trail switchbacks once to a photogenic view of Drift Creek Falls. There's a bench here and boulders along the stream that make for a good resting spot. |
=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
| Line 39: | Line 42: | ||
* Northwest Forest Pass required at trailhead | * Northwest Forest Pass required at trailhead | ||
| − | {{TripReports| | + | {{TripReports|Drift Creek}} |
| − | + | ||
| − | {{RelatedDiscussions| | + | {{RelatedDiscussions|Drift Creek}} |
| − | + | ||
=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
| − | * ''60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland'' | + | * ''60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland'' by Paul Gerald |
| − | * ''100 Hikes / Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range'' | + | * ''100 Hikes / Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range'' by William Sullivan |
| + | * ''120 Hikes on the Oregon Coast'' by Bonnie Henderson | ||
=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
| − | *[http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/tillnewp/trails/driftcreekfalls1378.shtml Forest Service | + | *[http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/siuslaw/recreation/tripplanning/tillnewp/trails/driftcreekfalls1378.shtml Forest Service page] for Drift Creek Falls |
| + | *[http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19971207&slug=2576604 Article on Suspension Bridge] from the Seattle Times | ||
*[http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=0897325710 Paul Gerald's book 60 hikes within 60 miles of Portland] | *[http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=0897325710 Paul Gerald's book 60 hikes within 60 miles of Portland] | ||
=== Contributors === | === Contributors === | ||
| − | * [[User: | + | * [[User:Splintercat|Splintercat]] |
| + | * [[User:justpeachy|justpeachy]] | ||
Revision as of 20:47, 1 January 2018
File:BridgeUp.JPG
Looking up at the bridge from the base of the falls. Photo courtesy of Sahale, LLC. Photograph by Carroll Vogel
- Start point: Drift Creek Falls Trailhead
- End point: Drift Creek Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 3.0 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 490 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Year round
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
This hike offers something for everyone, a waterfall, a huge suspension bridge and a nice view of Coast Range forest. The trail is wide and well maintained. The only flaw may be that it's elevation backwards; you have a nice stroll down, then you need to climb back out, though the well-graded trail makes the climb fairly easy.
The trail starts by contouring down the forested slope below the trailhead. The trail is timbered in 50 year old regrowth, but there's a nearby clear cut, visible through the trees. Together, they create an interesting study of the forest healing itself. After a bit, the trail rounds a gentle ridge and heads back westward into a small side canyon. You may hear voices from across the way and soon you'll see that the trail goes back down the other side of the valley, creating a charming little U turn with a couple of small bridges over trickling, seasonal creeks. Just past the U, there's a trail junction. The uphill trail is a longer, alternate loop that rejoins the main trail in another half mile. It's not as well maintained as the main trail and has more elevation gain, but includes some old growth forest.
Continuing down the main trail, you'll again round a ridge and start heading down to a larger stream. You'll hear the water as you descend, crossing a small footbridge where you will and see a larger bridge over Drift Creek, below. Towards the bottom of the canyon the trail meets the alternate route at a switchback, just before the trail reaches the bridge over the Drift Creek. There's a bench on the opposite side of the stream and this is a reasonalby safe area for kids to wade in the creek here, as well.
Beyond the footbridge over Drift Creek, the trail passes a few large trees and more recovering forest of young conifers draped in moss and lichens. Soon, you'll abruptly arrive at "The" bridge. Here, Drift Creek suddenly plunges 75 feet into a basalt gorge, 100 feet below the suspension bridge. The bridge is certainly sturdy enough to carry you, but it does sway a bit as you cross, so can be intimidating to those uncomfortable with heights. There's a clearing in the first that serves for a good picnic stop, but the best view of the falls is about a quarter mile further, where the trail switchbacks once to a photogenic view of Drift Creek Falls. There's a bench here and boulders along the stream that make for a good resting spot.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required at trailhead
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Drift Creek
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Drift Creek
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland by Paul Gerald
- 100 Hikes / Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range by William Sullivan
- 120 Hikes on the Oregon Coast by Bonnie Henderson
More Links
- Forest Service page for Drift Creek Falls
- Article on Suspension Bridge from the Seattle Times
- Paul Gerald's book 60 hikes within 60 miles of Portland