Revision as of 21:21, 6 August 2020

Drift Creek Falls (Paul Gerald)

Drift Creek Falls (Greg Lief)

Suspension Bridge (Greg Lief)

• 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

TAKE CARE OUT THERE: Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, this trail is experiencing extremely heavy use. Be prepared to wear a mask during the many portions of this hike where physical distancing is not an option.

DO YOUR PART: Services are extremely limited at this time, so please bring a trash bag with you so you can pack out what you pack in, including any dog poop from your four-legged hiking buddy.

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 (or America the Beautiful 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

Contributors

• Splintercat
• justpeachy