Falls Creek Trail

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Sugar Pine
Posts: 182
Joined: April 28th, 2017, 12:23 pm

Falls Creek Trail

Post by Sugar Pine » June 23rd, 2022, 3:18 pm

We hiked the Falls Creek Trail from Falls Creek Horse Camp to the Falls Creek Falls overlook over two days, giving us time to check out the Lava Caves.

We followed the great field guide description, day hiking from the Falls Creek Horse Camp to FR 67 with a stop at the Lava Caves on the way back. In the lava tube, we went through the 1st side tunnel and then returned (tunnel info per Curious Gorge book). The side tunnel was much easier to walk through than the main tunnel, as the floor had less rock to navigate through. Back at the second lava pit we checked out the overhanging end opposite the tunnel and found icicles and nobby ice crystals on rocks that looked like sparkling gold.
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Between lava pit 2 and 3
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Gold ice
On the second day, we hiked from FR 67 to Falls Creek Falls clifftop viewpoint. We had a clear day with outstanding views. The "old" trail is somewhat overgrown, but a faster return to our car.
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Viewpoint on ridge along new trail
We saw a total of 5 people over the 2 days. The road to Falls Creek Horse Camp was clear. There was some snow on the side of the road just before camp where the road crosses the creek and there was snow in the campground, melting fast. The drive was easy until the junction of FR65 and FR67. There were quite a few potholes on both roads past the junction. I believe the roads would be passable with 2WD, but having high clearance was a plus.

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bobcat
Posts: 2764
Joined: August 1st, 2011, 7:51 am
Location: SW Portland

Re: Falls Creek Trail

Post by bobcat » June 25th, 2022, 2:02 pm

Good on you for hiking this trail, mostly seen just by mountain bikers and hunters. It has a handful of little-known attractions!

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Sugar Pine
Posts: 182
Joined: April 28th, 2017, 12:23 pm

Re: Falls Creek Trail

Post by Sugar Pine » June 26th, 2022, 7:32 pm

Thanks for the Field Guide info. The last time I hiked Falls Creek Falls from the lower trailhead we went nearly to the junction of the old and new Falls Creek Falls mountain bike trails and wondered what lay beyond. I forgot to mention there were a lot of huckleberry bushes, so it seems like a great fall hike or bike.

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