4 í2* Wednesday, May29,2013
P R IH T jS p o rts
Finding the silver lining in the falls
Brad Heineke
The Clackamas Print
Photos by Brad Heineke The Clackamas Print
"W "had to go visit the larg-
I est state park in Oregon,
I Silver Falls, which is
I just one hour away from
Clackamas Community
College’s main campus in Oregon
City. It is a straight shot south
down Highway 213 which turns
to Highway 214 as it approaches
the park. Signs led to South Falls
Picnic Area C parking lot. There
is a $5 parking fee. I followed
a broad path downstream a few
hundred yards to historic Silver
Falls Lodge. It is a rustic log
cabin style building. It had a
large stone fireplace with a crack This is one o f 10 sights along the
ling fire blazing. A host said the scenic seven-mile trail ju st outside o f
fire is always burning through Silverton.
the day and pointed out a native
plant and wildlife exhibit that
A few hundred yards beyond
was set up through the café area. South Falls is a junction at a
There is a small food concession scenic footbridge. Don’t cross
available. I found they had free the bridge unless you are ready
detailed color trail maps with to return or for the photo oppor
photos.
tunity. Instead take the unpaved
The park is more than 9,000 path along the creek. This path
acres with 24 miles of walking will come to a series of switch-
paths, 14 miles of horse trails and back wooden stair steps leading
four miles of bike trails. Its main down and to the trail behind
allure is the Trail of Ten Falls, Lower South Falls’ broad 93 foot
which is a designated National cascade.
Recreation Trail. It is said to be
Beyond Lower SouthFalls the
one of America’s most impres trail forks again. There is good
sive waterfall day hikes. As signage and the trail map was
the name implies, it features 10 handy to see the distance to the
waterfalls, five of which are more next falls. At this point you can
than 100 feet tall all in a fairly turn right and climb the steeper
easy seven mile loop hike that ridge trail to the canyon rim and
returns you to the starting point. parking lot, for a shorter hike of
At four of the falls the trail takes 2.8 miles.
you behind the cascade through
I continued straight and head
impressive and mossy caverns.
ed up the north fork of. Silver
•"■•Standing—on • the ’■•path; ju s t-
Creek to Lower North Falls'. At
20 feet from the edge o f where a footbridge just above the falls,
Silver Creek seems to fall off the I took the 250-yard side trail
edge of the earth, I felt vertigo.
to visit and photograph Double
I continued down the winding Falls. Back on the main trail you
path and in a few hundred yards will hike another, mile passing
was in a large dripping cavern Drake and Middle North Falls
behind the wide silver vale of to the Winter Falls trail junction.
South Falls. I tucked my camera
Each falls hasrits own unique
in my jacket as there was an ever- .
beauty; they were all stunning.
present mist here. After another
At this point, you can turn
short walk I sat in a Zen-like state
right for a 5.1-mile loop or con
watching the perpetual explosion
tinue on to see three more falls:
of spray as the 177-foot falls
Twin, Lower North and North
crashed into the pool below. I
Falls. Here there is the North
snapped a photo realizing that
parking area and restroom. I then
there were nine more falls to
headed down the two-mile return
admire on this hike
Ridge Trail through huge old
I headed down a paved path'
growth fir and hemlock trees and
which pasted a county style gift
patches of trillium flowers back
shop then on about a hundred
to the South Falls area, the lodge
yards to the overlook of South and car.
Falls. From here you take a paved
This was an amazing hike and
trail to the right. It offers great
a photographer’s dream. I consid
views, and then loops down into
er it an easy hike; it is often rated
the canyon and behind South
as moderate. The trail is well
Falls.
maintained and smooth. It is fair
ly level most of the way; the 700
feet elevation change through the
hike largely includes stair steps.
The lure of the next falls and
the enjoyable rest while view
ing them make the hike seem
shorter. There are even some rest
benches at a few points. I noticed
that dogs are not allowed on the
falls trails.
This is of course an easy day
trip; however, tent camping and
small cabins are available to rent.
There is also a convention area
with actual houses for accommo
dations and a convention lodge
that has three meals a day avail
able for purchase by anyone. On
the return trip we stopped in
Silverton which is a cool little
town 15 mile outside the park.
We found a great restaurant and
bar that had creek side balcony
seating.
I highly suggest this as a
“must do” hike. It is a close to
Double Falls is one o f the 10 water
home, wilderness nirvana with
falls in Silver Creek Falls Park, the
spectacular views. Visit www.
largest state park in Oregon.
oregonstateparks.org for details
and pricing.
located only one hour away from Clackamas Community College’s main campus in Oregon City.