The Clackamas print., June 01, 2016, Page 5, Image 5

ABIQUA FALLS
If you’re looking for a nice peaceful place to hike, to
that isn’t too difficult, than this is the place for you.
Abiqua Falls is a very impressive waterfall hidden
just above the foothills above the small town of Scotts
Mills, about 30 minutes away from the Oregon City
campus. The hike is short but definitely worth it.
The length of the hike depends mostly on what car
you drive, because the gravel road just before the
trail is steep, washed out and not suitable for low
clearance cars.
The falls can be seen at the end of the trail after
going down a steep marked path to the creek. The
fa lls drop down about 100 feet in to a giant pool,
w hich is perfect for a nice swim on a warm day. The
drive up is fairly easy, and it’s about a 45 m inute
drive from the C CC cam pus.
Overall, this spot is perfect for a quick and peaceful
aftern o o n h ik e. M ake sure to b rin g com fortable
hiking shoes for the steep inclines down to the falls,
and also bring a bathing suit in case you want to jump
in the cool and refreshing water.
— JAMES HARLEY
CAPE LOOKOUT TRAIL
This wonderful scenic hike has many options along
the w ay. W ith a to tal o f three different trails to
choose fro m , Cape Trail is the most popular of the
three total trails located 20 m inutes southw est o f
Tillam ook via highw ay 131 west.
W hile on the trail you will pass through a coastal
rainforest full o f western hemlock, western red cedar
and evergreen huckleberry. There w ill m ost likely
be a few sections o f m ud, even in the late parts o f
sum m er. Once you are a h alf m ile into the hike, you
will see a commemorative plaque of a WWII Air Force
plane that crashed into the side o f the cape w ith 10
crew members inside. A long the way you w ill have
several view points to both the north and the south.
To the north you will see Netarts Bay as well as the
Three Arch Rocks. If you look down you w ill be able
to see W ell’ s Cove. Several tim es on the hike you
w ill be able see an aerial view of the ocean as w ell as
Pacific City and Cape Kiwanda. The best viewpoint is
at the end o f the trail, 2.4 miles out. You can also see
the beach that the south trail eventually leads too.
Every now <tnd then you will be able to see humpback
whales if the season is right.
The best tim e to go on this hike is on a nice sunny
w arm day in the late sp rin g and sum m er, as the
views aren’ t as great on a cloudy day. This day hike
is a m ust do on the great Oregon Coast.
— TRAVIS DAVID V WHITTAKER
OPAL CREEK
About an hour east o f Salem o ff o f Highway 22, Opal
Creek is a b eautifu l hidden gem about two hours
southeast from Clackam as Com m unity College. The
hike is easy w ith a nice, level, gravel path that leads
the way through the 10.5 m ile loop. There are m any
sw im m ing holes along the trail to stop and take a
dip, the first is about three m iles from the trailhead.
The water is extrem ely cold all year round but it is
refreshing in the sum m er heat.
One o f the sw im m ing holes is especially popular
because it has a "natu ral slide” made out o f a log
that goes into the w ater. T his sw im m ing hole is
about halfway through the loop. To avoid the crowds,
there are other great places to swim along the trail
that are just as fu n and beautiful. If sw im m ing isn ’t
your forte, the pools are still gorgeous to stop and
look at during your visit.
D efinitely m ake sure to bring plenty o f food and
water because it will be a w hile before you m ake it
back to civilization . The closest place to get food
was about an hour away in Stayton . A lso keep in
m ind that there is a $5 fee per car. A lth ou gh it is
a far drive and there is a fee, this hike is definitely
worth the effort.
— MEGAN MCCOY
TRAIL OF TEN FALLS
Silver Falls State Park is a w ell know n spot in an
area o f O regon filled w ith m any am azing h ikes, a
little east o f Salem .
The park is a great area to spend the day w ith the
fa m ily, plan a b ig event such as a fam ily reunion
or w ed ding, or even ju st cam p fo r th e w eekend.
However, m ost the people that visit the park d on’t
see more than the South Falls, w hich is closest to
the m ain parking area.-
The Trail o f Ten Falls is a long but am azing hike
filled w ith some o f the best w aterfalls in the state.
Including the m ain South Falls, there are a total o f
four falls that the trail goes behind. A ll o f the falls
are unique in their own features, so the trail never
gets boring and stays adventurous.
Out o f all the seasons, the best tim e to go is in
spring, when there is the most water flowing through
the creeks. However, the trail itself is best during
the sum m er w hen the sun is out and the path is dry
w ith no puddles.
The trail is perfect for anybody w ho enjoys day
h ik es. For people th a t like go in g on adventures,
h iking the fu ll loop is a “ m ust g o .” O ut o f all the
hikes in the area, this is definitely near the top o f
the list due to all the b eautiful fa lls.
— JAMES HARLEY
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