Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
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Trail of Ten Falls Silver Falls State Park, Oregon |
August 24, 2017
When I first visited this park, in June of 1962, I had proclaimed the
South Falls as my second-most favorite place after only Vernal Fall
in Yosemite. I hope that some of this park's magic is still in effect,
despite the lateness of the season.
A $5 parking fee gets me in
I had scheduled a visit here last April with Gary, a fellow waterfall-lover;
but incessant rains sent us home early. This will be my fifth hike in
three days, and the last one on this eclipse-viewing tour.
At the trailhead
Some forty-plus years ago my late wife and I visited here, but spent most of our time picking up cigarette butts that literally covered the access trail. I am quite pleased to find it free of debris today.
Clean as a whistle
I am equally delighted to see that there is water in the North Fork of Silver Creek; otherwise, I would have been compelled to seek my fortune elsewhere.
South Falls, 178'
Walking behind a waterfall always is great fun
A special place
It no longer is my second-most-favorite spot, however; that honor now goes to Delicate Arch in Utah.
From here it will be new territory for me, except for the last waterfall on today's menu.
A huge flight of stairs is next
At the bottom of the stairs is another wonderful falls for me to walk behind.
This is why I go hiking
Lower South Falls, 93'
From here one can loop back to the starting point on the Maple Ridge Trail, but of course I am not interested in that.
From the other side
More walkers are on the stairs
There are lots more people on this loop than I had guessed, considering the length of the trail. Half of them are wearing sandals, and many have noisy kids in tow.
Some folk are having a picnic near the bridge
The next attraction definitely could benefit from more water. In fact, I have seen photographs of it looking much nicer.
Lower North Falls, 30'
A short spur leads to the left; naturally, I must take it.
Double Falls are nearly dry
The next offering isn't very photogenic, either.
The best view available
A woman asks what is the "best" waterfall on the loop. Upon seeing the one just ahead, I point to it and respond, "Maybe that one".
Oh, boy! Another one to walk behind
In this case, the trail behind the falls is an
out-and-back. At the end of the path, a serious
photographer has his equipment in place, and this is why:
A fine scene
Climbing beside the falls
Don't mess around at the brink of a waterfall
There is a trail junction here, and it is time for a decision. The main route continues to Twin Falls and ultimately North Falls, whereas the shortcut trail would take in Winter Falls before connecting with the highway.
I believe that I will cut my mileage to a minimum by venturing up to Twin Falls, then returning to this junction and exiting on the Winter Falls Trail.
This would be nicer with some water in it
Well, I need not have bothered, because there is no reasonable viewpoint of these falls.
Perhaps I could cross over here for a photo!
No, I would have to tell my wife were I to do that, assuming that I survived the crawl. On the return, I get a glimpse of the falls after all:
Twin Falls
Now it's up to Winter Falls
This one proves a great disappointment as well, for there is virtually no stream flow at all.
Does this one flow only in the winter?
At the roadside parking lot is a sign extolling the virtues of the trail I just climbed. Overhearing a couple talking about Winter Falls, I tell them not to bother, and I tell them why.
From here, it is a mile-long ridge-top stroll
This is beautiful
At a small alternative parking lot are more signs detailing the history and geology of this park.
As per the plan, I have driven three miles back to the North Falls parking area. First on the agenda is a feature that I have not seen previously.
It's about a ten-minute walk
Upper North Falls
That display is very nice, but it's not the one I remember. The trail I seek is downstream, on the other side of the highway.
An unusual T-Shirt message
And there it is, just as I remember it.
North Falls, 65'
The cave behind this one, however, is much bigger than what I recall; in fact, it is enormous.
I won't get wet in here
Sublime
An amazing amphitheater
Climbing back out
Last look
§: Well, this was one fine walk! Although
three of the falls were boring or nonexistent and two were
sub-par, two others were outstanding and three were
exceptional. I got to walk behind four different
waterfalls today. What a treat!
My shuttle up to the northernmost falls saved two miles
of relatively featureless hiking. I am happy with that
choice. All of the falls could have benefited from a bit
more stream flow, and of course there was little in the way
of flowers this far into the hot summer. I really must
return here in late spring or perhaps in autumn for this
world-class waterfall tour.
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