Have an hour or less?
Here are 3 suggested hikes for those on a tight schedule:
1. South Falls Loop
Distance: 1 mile
Configuration: loop
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation gain: 200 ft
Trailhead: South Falls Historic District
Highlights:
Historic Silver Falls District on the National Registry. Buildings constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the “golden era of park building” in the 1930’s -1940’s.
South Falls Viewpoint (aka, ooo ahhh moment) for your initial view of majestic South Falls!
Frenchie Falls - a smaller seasonal waterfall not included in the “ten” of Trail of Ten Falls.
Geology: Look for the 3 geologic layers of the Columbia River Basalt Flows that make up the canyon walls
Stop in at the Nature Store, located in the Log Cabin for a souvenir or just to say hello and chat with our friendly volunteers!
2. North Falls
Distance: 1 mile
Configuration: out and back
Difficulty: moderate
Elevation gain: 100 ft
Trailhead: North Falls Trailhead parking lot
highlights:
Descend 78 stairs into the canyon on the Canyon Trail.
Try the salmonberries growing along the trail in the spring or the salal berries in the summer.
Geology! Look for tree casts in the ceiling of the cave behind the waterfall.
Appreciate the stone work and trail building done by the Civilian Conservation Corps and maintained by our own park staff.
Civilian Conservation Corp, 1938
3. upper north
Distance: 0.6 mile
Configuration: out and back
Difficulty: easy
Elevation gain: none
Trailhead: North Falls Trailhead parking lot
highlights
The only waterfall where swimming is permitted.
The only waterfall where pets are permitted.
Access from this trail to the back-country trails via the Perimeter Trail.
