University Falls Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: University Falls Trailhead
- End point: University Falls
- Trail log:
- Hike Type: In and out
- Distance: 0.7 miles
- Elevation gain: 180 feet
- High Point: 1730 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: All year
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
University Falls is probably the premier hiking destination in the Rogers Camp area of the Tillamook State Forest. The falls plunge over a basalt face into a small, shaded bowl dominated by red alders. They can be reached on a longer hike (see the University Falls Loop Hike), but if you're just interested in the waterfall, there's a trail about a third of a mile long that will take you there. The falls are best, of course, during the rainy season, so it may be disappointing to visit between July and November.
A spur trail leads from the trailhead to join the Gravelle Brothers Trail. Go right at the junction. Head up in a salal thicket under Douglas-firs and alders. Cross an ORV trail under powerlines and then a road bed. After this, the trail heads steeply down towards Elliott Creek. At the Gravelle Brothers-University Falls Trail Junction, the Gravelle Brothers Trail heads off to the right and there’s a colorful sign for University Falls on the left. Keep left past the sign (Going straight takes you past a hitching post and down to the creek). Cross a wooden footbridge and head up the main creek past a stand of alder to the falls.
Maps
- Oregon Department of Forestry: Tillamook State Forest Map & Guide
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Cross ATV trail on way to falls
- Share forest roads with ATV users
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for University Falls Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for University Falls Hike
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Waterfalls of the Pacific Northwest by David L. Anderson
- Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest by Gregory A. Plumb
More Links
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)