If you find yourself traveling along highway 101, near Tillamook, Oregon, you might like to pay a visit to Munson Creek Falls.
The hike is free, easy, and dog friendly. It’s also full of the indomitable plant life we’ve come to expect on the Oregon trails. Munson Creek flows beside the trail, decorated with tiny ground cover and trees dripping moss. The short flight of wooden steps toward the end even has a handrail.
Munson Creek Falls drops 319 feet, in three tiers. Although it is the tallest waterfall in the coastal mountains, the trail is only half the original length, due to erosion. Looking at the waterfall from farther away makes it seem smaller, although still impressive.
The hike is only about half a mile and is easier than the drive. Remember that post about the Backwoods Waterfalls? Munson Creek Falls is only eleven miles southeast of Tillamook, but it’s a 23 minute trip. You will spend the second half of the drive on gravel roads, with some potholes included for extra excitement.
The State Parks website calls Munson Creek a “vital salmon habitat” and asserts that they can be seen swimming close to the surface during the late months of the year. I think I missed it, as the creek was quite low.
My trip was an extension of last weekend’s outing, so I didn’t spend a lot of time there. The Tillamook Coast website says,
Munson Creek Falls State Park is home to the ancient red cedar and Sitka spruce, including one of the country’s tallest remaining Sitka’s at 260 feet.
Despite my search, I could not find its location, but I did read of a second trail that has not been maintained.
Perhaps, given enough time and curiosity someone will find it.
Definitely drop me a line in the comments if you know where it is!
Vital salmon habitat?! I would go there just to feed and pet the fishies :3 You know what the bunnies say: “You haven’t truly grinned if you never scratched a fish’s belly!”
Coincidentally, where did you think they recruited the fish for Mars’s canals and lakes?
Did they come from Oregon, Black Knight?? 🙂
You seem to find the most amazing places to hike and photograph. So pretty Alice! It’s like a breath of much needed fresh air
Thank you, Leona! I need to get back out there now that the weather is improving!