“It’s wet but it’s not slick,” said my brother, confidently walking down the hill at a clip. “Perhaps,” I replied as I went down the wet, rocky path with caution, “but if someone can slip it will be me.” Not a minute later there was some commotion behind me. “Are you ok?!” someone asked and I looked back to see several people helping a lady up out of the mud. I cringed inside, hoping I hadn’t jinxed her!
Silver Falls State Park is an amazing place where people can camp, bike, swim, picnic, fish, and ride horses. But the big attractions are the waterfalls. Entering the south parking lot on a sunny weekend is almost like going to an amusement park; cars and people everywhere. And where are they headed? To hike the waterfalls. Our choice for the day was the 7.5 mile, 10 waterfall loop and we were frankly a little skeptical about the number of people going in the same direction.
The heavily forested waterfall loop along the Canyon trail is bursting with greenery this time of year and the water levels are high. The hills rise and fall, covered with roots and rocks; sometimes stairs assist with the climb. The trail will go up, up, up until you catch a glimpse of the waterfall and hear water roaring over a cliff into the pool below.
Then it continues around, sometimes winding behind the falls, and down to the river.
As you continue on the path, you can hear birds chirping and the river burbling along. You feel the peace of nature and your stress begins to melt away. The path begins to climb again then stone steps switchback down to a path that goes behind another waterfall.
The hike has been deemed moderate, with an overall 800 foot elevation gain. I can honestly say, as a weekend hiker, that the hills didn’t have me out of breathe. The distance and up and down of the trail did have my muscles screaming by the end of the hike. After the 8th fall we turned a corner and faced a wall of stairs, to which my brother said, “That’s just mean!”
“Where are all those people you mentioned in the parking lot?” you ask. Well, they are there. More near the parking areas on the north and south ends of the loop. There are so many types of people who are there for different reasons. Some are looking closely at plants and discussing them in minute detail. Some are fitness hikers, walking as quickly as they can to get to each destination. Some talk loudly and emphatically about who knows what. If you have a bit of patience, get past the botanists and let the exercisers pass, peace reigns once again.
For me, the best part of the outing is the journey. The destinations are fun bonuses but I really enjoy taking my time and immersing my senses. I love the small wildflowers, the giant boulders, the strange trees, all of the unique smells and sounds. Being outdoors, breathing the fresh air and experiencing a measure of exertion is at once relaxing and stimulating. It is a feeling like no other.
About a third of the way through the hike we sat on a log near one of the waterfalls and had a snack. We were not alone because it was a beautiful place to stop. The fall was off the main path though, and the crowd had thinned out considerably as we went further into the canyon.
Each of the waterfalls is unique and impressive and although there was a shortcut making a shorter hike, I wanted to see them all! By the time we reached the north end, however, we were starting to feel some angry muscles and thought we were only half way around the loop. A ranger told us that we had actually gone five miles and the return path was only two and a half with less elevation gain. That was lucky because by the time we got back to the car I was getting cramps in my feet and ankles. I drank about a litre and a half of water during the hike but it’s easy to get dehydrated.
If you are in Oregon and would like to visit Silver Falls I would recommend going on a week day, especially during summer months. It is incredibly beautiful and I plan to go again in the fall to see the leaves change. Take plenty of water and a snack if you plan to do the full loop and there is a $5 parking fee.
For more information about Silver Falls State Park you can visit:
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Very nice!! Looks fun. I liked that you added the parking fee.
Thanks Tiffany! It’s never good to be surprised with fees but the machines do take debit cards so that’s helpful!
Nice blog! It almost feels like we are there with you exploring. Beautiful pictures! Thanks 🙂
Thank you, Beverly!
@r0ckh0undz I have already been sub’d lol.
I will add you to the list. Thanks!
Last time I went on a forest hike, one of our friends forgot to pack enough water. We all had 3 liters each, but she’d packed only one tiny 0.5 l bottle lol In the end we had to completely change our route, so she could refill her bottle at various fountains along the way. All in all it was a fun trip, until we had to turn and go back due to a nasty rainstorm.
Thanks for your comment! Water is so important!
I love mountains & forests.
This is a great area. So lush and green. Oregon has really good State Parks.
I do love all the green! When you’re out this way we should go exploring together!
You have beautifully captured my favorite place to play through Spring and Summer, and my all time favorite short ride on the motorcycle! The kids love to hike the loop, then take a little time to play in the swim area offered.
Thanks Leona! It certainly is gorgeous this time of year. I can’t wait to go back and see it in the fall!
So very pretty. I am @AzureLonegirl on minds.
Thank you Pat!
Beautiful. May have to check this one out!!
Thanks Fio! I would recommend it!
I admire those who can physically do a hike that long. Sounds like excellent payoffs were involved!
For me, it was worth the pain.
Have you done Multnomah Falls yet? There are some other great ones in the Gorge, too.
@lillyput minds.com
Hi Lilly,
I have done Multnomah Falls! I always take visitors there and have been to the top several times. There was a really big fire out that way a couple of years ago though and I haven’t seen it since. I did see Eagle Creek is still closed though. 🙁
If I’m ever in the Pacific Northwest, I’ll have to visit Silver Falls. Thanks for the journey on your hike, Alice. Btw, I just subscribed and found you on Minds. Check me out on my Minds channel! The link is https://www.minds.com/Jmychal90/
Thanks Jon!
I love your blog and will be providing a link on the home page as soon as I rearrange things. I hope you’ll come back to visit soon!
Lovely! I see that your blog has entered hyperspace 😀 Keep writing them!
Nicely done! As a Silvertonian i think you did an excellent job of summing up the falls. A beautiful place and holds many dear memories. Great Job Alice! If I didn’t live there, i’d go there 🙂
Thanks Keri! I consider that high praise coming from a local expert!