Ted's Hiking World Trail of Ten Falls
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

August 24, 2017

When I first visited this park, in June of 1962, I had proclaimed the South Falls as my second-most favorite place after only Vernal Fall in Yosemite.  I hope that some of this park's magic is still in effect, despite the lateness of the season.

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A $5 parking fee gets me in

I had scheduled a visit here last April with Gary, a fellow waterfall-lover; but incessant rains sent us home early.  This will be my fifth hike in three days, and the last one on this eclipse-viewing tour.

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At the trailhead

Some forty-plus years ago my late wife and I visited here, but spent most of our time picking up cigarette butts that literally covered the access trail.  I am quite pleased to find it free of debris today.

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Clean as a whistle

I am equally delighted to see that there is water in the North Fork of Silver Creek; otherwise, I would have been compelled to seek my fortune elsewhere.

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South Falls, 178'

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Walking behind a waterfall always is great fun

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A special place

It no longer is my second-most-favorite spot, however; that honor now goes to Delicate Arch in Utah.

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From here it will be new territory for me, except for the last waterfall on today's menu.

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A huge flight of stairs is next

At the bottom of the stairs is another wonderful falls for me to walk behind.

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This is why I go hiking

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Lower South Falls, 93'

From here one can loop back to the starting point on the Maple Ridge Trail, but of course I am not interested in that.

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From the other side

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More walkers are on the stairs

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There are lots more people on this loop than I had guessed, considering the length of the trail.  Half of them are wearing sandals, and many have noisy kids in tow.

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Some folk are having a picnic near the bridge

The next attraction definitely could benefit from more water.  In fact, I have seen photographs of it looking much nicer.

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Lower North Falls, 30'

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A short spur leads to the left; naturally, I must take it.

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Double Falls are nearly dry

The next offering isn't very photogenic, either.

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The best view available

A woman asks what is the "best" waterfall on the loop.  Upon seeing the one just ahead, I point to it and respond, "Maybe that one".

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Oh, boy!  Another one to walk behind

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In this case, the trail behind the falls is an out-and-back.  At the end of the path, a serious photographer has his equipment in place, and this is why:

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A fine scene

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Climbing beside the falls

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Don't mess around at the brink of a waterfall

There is a trail junction here, and it is time for a decision.  The main route continues to Twin Falls and ultimately North Falls, whereas the shortcut trail would take in Winter Falls before connecting with the highway.

I believe that I will cut my mileage to a minimum by venturing up to Twin Falls, then returning to this junction and exiting on the Winter Falls Trail.

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This would be nicer with some water in it

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Well, I need not have bothered, because there is no reasonable viewpoint of these falls.

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Perhaps I could cross over here for a photo!

No, I would have to tell my wife were I to do that, assuming that I survived the crawl.  On the return, I get a glimpse of the falls after all:

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Twin Falls

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Now it's up to Winter Falls

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This one proves a great disappointment as well, for there is virtually no stream flow at all.

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Does this one flow only in the winter?

At the roadside parking lot is a sign extolling the virtues of the trail I just climbed.  Overhearing a couple talking about Winter Falls, I tell them not to bother, and I tell them why.

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From here, it is a mile-long ridge-top stroll

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This is beautiful

At a small alternative parking lot are more signs detailing the history and geology of this park.

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As per the plan, I have driven three miles back to the North Falls parking area.  First on the agenda is a feature that I have not seen previously.

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It's about a ten-minute walk

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Upper North Falls

That display is very nice, but it's not the one I remember.  The trail I seek is downstream, on the other side of the highway.

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An unusual T-Shirt message

And there it is, just as I remember it.

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North Falls, 65'

The cave behind this one, however, is much bigger than what I recall; in fact, it is enormous.

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I won't get wet in here

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Sublime

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An amazing amphitheater

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Climbing back out

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Last look


§: Well, this was one fine walk!  Although three of the falls were boring or nonexistent and two were sub-par, two others were outstanding and three were exceptional.  I got to walk behind four different waterfalls today.  What a treat!

My shuttle up to the northernmost falls saved two miles of relatively featureless hiking.  I am happy with that choice.  All of the falls could have benefited from a bit more stream flow, and of course there was little in the way of flowers this far into the hot summer.  I really must return here in late spring or perhaps in autumn for this world-class waterfall tour.

Scenery *
Difficulty *
Personality *
Solitude *

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