Difference between revisions of "Falls Creek Falls Loop Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
(adding detail - we almost got lost) |
(Add guidebook) |
||
| (2 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 9: | Line 9: | ||
[[Image:FallsCreekFalls1.jpg|thumb|300px|Falls Creek Falls ''(Curtis Barnard)'']] | [[Image:FallsCreekFalls1.jpg|thumb|300px|Falls Creek Falls ''(Curtis Barnard)'']] | ||
[[Image:Suspbridge.jpg|thumb|250px|Suspension bridge ''(cfm)'']] | [[Image:Suspbridge.jpg|thumb|250px|Suspension bridge ''(cfm)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:FallsCreekFalls3.jpg|thumb|250px|The mossy banks of Falls Creek ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:FallsCreekFalls4.jpg|thumb|250px|Black helvella, Falls Creek ''(bobcat)'']] | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
{{Start point|Falls Creek Falls Lower Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Falls Creek Falls Lower Trailhead}} | ||
* End point: [[Falls Creek Falls]] | * End point: [[Falls Creek Falls]] | ||
| Line 14: | Line 18: | ||
* Hike Type: Loop | * Hike Type: Loop | ||
{{Distance|6.2 miles}} round trip | {{Distance|6.2 miles}} round trip | ||
| − | {{Elevation gain|1150 | + | {{Elevation gain|1150 feet}} |
{{Difficulty|Moderate}} | {{Difficulty|Moderate}} | ||
* Seasons: April 1st- Dec 1st | * Seasons: April 1st- Dec 1st | ||
| Line 28: | Line 32: | ||
To continue on the loop, return on the lower trail to the well marked junction, and turn uphill an a steep rutted path that climbs .2 miles to the [[Upper Falls Creek-Falls Creek Connector Trail Junction|upper trail]]. Turn right and travel a mile to reach the [[Falls Creek Falls (Top)|top of the falls]], but along the way look for one of several short user trails on your right. Any of these side trails will take you to the edge of the cliffs that provide the best viewpoints of the upper tier of the falls. There is a nice flat landing at the very top of the falls. It does not provide a good view of the cascade itself, but allows a sweeping view west into the Falls Creek valley and the mountains beyond. There is a steep scramble path down to the creek before it plunges over the edge, not suitable for little ones. | To continue on the loop, return on the lower trail to the well marked junction, and turn uphill an a steep rutted path that climbs .2 miles to the [[Upper Falls Creek-Falls Creek Connector Trail Junction|upper trail]]. Turn right and travel a mile to reach the [[Falls Creek Falls (Top)|top of the falls]], but along the way look for one of several short user trails on your right. Any of these side trails will take you to the edge of the cliffs that provide the best viewpoints of the upper tier of the falls. There is a nice flat landing at the very top of the falls. It does not provide a good view of the cascade itself, but allows a sweeping view west into the Falls Creek valley and the mountains beyond. There is a steep scramble path down to the creek before it plunges over the edge, not suitable for little ones. | ||
| − | After exploring the top of the falls, return via the upper trail (Trail 152). Continue on Trail 152 past the upper junction of the connector trail a further 1.7 miles, enjoying a gradual descent through woods. Look for a path to the left that leads to a footbridge. (If you end up on an abandoned road, you've gone too far.) Cross the bridge and bear left. The parking lot is an easy six-tenths of a mile walk | + | After exploring the top of the falls, return via the upper trail (Trail 152). Continue on Trail 152 past the upper junction of the connector trail a further 1.7 miles, enjoying a gradual descent through woods. Look for a path to the left that leads to a footbridge. (If you end up on an abandoned road, you've gone too far.) Cross the bridge and bear left. The parking lot is an easy six-tenths of a mile walk away. |
=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
| Line 40: | Line 44: | ||
* ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington'' by William L. Sullivan | * ''100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington'' by William L. Sullivan | ||
* ''60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland'' by Paul Gerald | * ''60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland'' by Paul Gerald | ||
| + | * ''I Heart Oregon (& Washington)'' by Lisa D. Holmes | ||
=== More Links === | === More Links === | ||
* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31752 Trail #152A Falls Creek Falls (USFS)] | * [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31752 Trail #152A Falls Creek Falls (USFS)] | ||
| − | |||
* [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31756 Trail #152 Falls Creek (USFS)] | * [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/giffordpinchot/recarea/?recid=31756 Trail #152 Falls Creek (USFS)] | ||
| − | |||
* [http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/falls.php?num=5245 Falls Creek Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)] | * [http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/falls.php?num=5245 Falls Creek Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)] | ||
| − | |||
* [http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/hikes-of-the-week/lower-falls-creek-falls Lower Falls Creek Falls (Washington Trails Association)] | * [http://www.wta.org/go-hiking/seasonal-hikes/hikes-of-the-week/lower-falls-creek-falls Lower Falls Creek Falls (Washington Trails Association)] | ||
| + | * [http://www.world-of-waterfalls.com/pacific-northwest-falls-creek-falls.html Falls Creek Falls (World of Waterfalls)] | ||
| − | |||
=== Contributors === | === Contributors === | ||
* [[User:CFM|CFM]] (creator) | * [[User:CFM|CFM]] (creator) | ||
* [[User:bobcat|bobcat]] | * [[User:bobcat|bobcat]] | ||
Revision as of 18:07, 14 February 2016
- Start point: Falls Creek Falls Lower Trailhead
- End point: Falls Creek Falls
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 6.2 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 1150 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: April 1st- Dec 1st
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
The lower trail begins along the south side of the creek in a young forest of Douglas-fir. About 100 yards from the trailhead, bear right at the junction marked for Falls Creek Falls; the left hand trail marked for the horse camp will be your return route on the loop. The first half mile of the hike has several points where you and the kids can scramble down to the creek bed. Smooth rocks and several small pools invite wading, but the water remains icy cold through the summer. After another half mile, the path rises above the creekbed and the gentle stream is funneled through a small carved basalt canyon, which roars in the spring. Cross to the north side of the creek on a suspension bridge above the the narrow chasm and you will get a good look at how the water has carved its way through the basalt.
After the suspension bridge, the forest is more mature with plenty of snags and old growth giants of cedar and fir. Hike another mile upstream and go past the signed connector trail to the Upper Falls Creek Trail. Cross another footbridge and round a large bend in the trail and you will start to hear the roar of Falls Creek Falls. The trail will take you right up to a front row view of the thundering waters. Large boulders scattered around the viewing area provide good seats and picnic tables.
To continue on the loop, return on the lower trail to the well marked junction, and turn uphill an a steep rutted path that climbs .2 miles to the upper trail. Turn right and travel a mile to reach the top of the falls, but along the way look for one of several short user trails on your right. Any of these side trails will take you to the edge of the cliffs that provide the best viewpoints of the upper tier of the falls. There is a nice flat landing at the very top of the falls. It does not provide a good view of the cascade itself, but allows a sweeping view west into the Falls Creek valley and the mountains beyond. There is a steep scramble path down to the creek before it plunges over the edge, not suitable for little ones.
After exploring the top of the falls, return via the upper trail (Trail 152). Continue on Trail 152 past the upper junction of the connector trail a further 1.7 miles, enjoying a gradual descent through woods. Look for a path to the left that leads to a footbridge. (If you end up on an abandoned road, you've gone too far.) Cross the bridge and bear left. The parking lot is an easy six-tenths of a mile walk away.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Falls Creek Falls
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Falls Creek Falls
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon and Southwest Washington by William L. Sullivan
- 60 Hikes within 60 Miles of Portland by Paul Gerald
- I Heart Oregon (& Washington) by Lisa D. Holmes
More Links
- Trail #152A Falls Creek Falls (USFS)
- Trail #152 Falls Creek (USFS)
- Falls Creek Falls (Northwest Waterfall Survey)
- Lower Falls Creek Falls (Washington Trails Association)
- Falls Creek Falls (World of Waterfalls)