Crater Lake National Park: Discovery Point Trail (Blog Hike #869)

Trail: Discovery Point Trail
Hike Location: Crater Lake National Park
Geographic Location: Rim Village in Crater Lake, OR (42.91113, -122.14481)
Length: 2.6 miles
Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: An out-and-back along the southwest rim above Crater Lake.
Park Information: https://www.nps.gov/crla/index.htm
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=880920
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: This hike starts at the northwest corner of Rim Village, which is located on the south side of Crater Lake.  Reach Rim Village by driving the park's West Rim Drive 6.6 miles north from the park's south entrance or 14 miles south from the park's north entrance.

The hike: Established in 1902 as America's fifth national park, Crater Lake National Park is old on the national parks time scale but young on the geologic time scale.  Located on the summit of Mount Mazama, Crater Lake has its origin in a violent volcanic eruption that occurred no more than 7700 years ago.  After Mount Mazama erupted, the mountain's summit fell into the mountain's now-empty underground magma chamber.  The caldera formed by the summit's collapse filled with water, creating the lake we see today.

            Because Crater Lake is fed only by rainwater and snowmelt, the lake's 4.9 trillion gallons of water is some of the purest and clearest water in the world.  The lake's level fluctuates slightly based on the season but has remained relatively constant over time: water seeping out through the bedrock is replaced by new rain and snowmelt.  At 1943 feet deep at its deepest point, Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States.  Crater Lake had been on my bucket list of hiking destinations for many years, and it did not disappoint when I came here on my long hiking trip for summer 2021.

            183,224 acre Crater Lake National Park protects not only the lake but also surrounding areas of Mount Mazama and other nearby mountains.  Like many mountains in the Cascades, all of these mountains are active volcanos even though they have not erupted for several millennia.  The stark volcanic scenery is very apparent in the park.  Thus, this park anchors the north end of the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway, which heads south toward Lassen Volcanic National Park in northern California.

            I explored the various areas and corners of Crater Lake National Park on the next five hikes, and I decided to start with a frontcountry hike that features the park's main attraction.  The park's celebrated Rim Trail follows Crater Lake's west rim for most of its distance, and it connects Rim Village in the south with the Pacific Crest Trail in the north.  The Rim Trail's southernmost 1.3 miles are called the Discovery Point Trail because they lead to Discovery Point, which is also accessible by car via the park's West Rim Drive.  The out-and-back on the Rim Trail from Rim Village to Discovery Point is the hike described here.

Crater Lake view from Rim Village

            From the Rim Village parking area, walk north to get to the rim and your first magnificent Crater Lake view.  This point stands some 900 feet above the lake.  When I came here on a Monday afternoon, the sun angle was exactly right to give the lake's water a gorgeous deep blue hue.  You also get a good view of the cinder cone that is Wizard Island, which appears on the left side of the lake.

South end of Discovery Point Trail

            After enjoying this view, head left to find the signed start of the Discovery Point Trail.  The wide single-track dirt trail descends moderately with West Rim Drive close on the left.  Just when you think you may never get away from the noisy road, the trail curves right to climb into a pine forest on a fairly steep and somewhat rocky grade.  Nice views of Crater Lake persist to the right, and some interesting rock outcrops on and below the rim come into view as well.

Descending on rocky trail

Discovery Point in the distance

            More undulations need to be negotiated, and although the difference between maximum and minimum elevations on this hike is only about 150 vertical feet, you will go up and down this difference several times.  Just past 1 mile into the hike, you can see Discovery Point ahead as you top a rock outcrop and descend a pair of steep, rocky switchbacks.  You may have to use your hands to climb down these rocks, and this short section is the only tricky part of this hike.

Rocky rim outcrop at Discovery Point

Crater Lake view at Discovery Point

            At 1.3 miles, you come alongside West Rim Drive again as you reach Discovery Point.  Rock outcrops jut out from the rim, and a hawk soared over my head as I admired the Crater Lake views from here.  The Rim Trail continues up the west side of Crater Lake, but there are no ways to form short loops.  Thus, unless you can arrange a car shuttle, you will need to turn around and retrace your steps to Rim Village to complete the hike.

Willamette National Forest: Salt Creek Falls and Diamond Creek Falls (Blog Hike #868)

Trails: Salt Creek Falls and Diamond Creek Falls Trails
Hike Location: Willamette National Forest, Salt Creek Falls
Geographic Location: east of Oakridge, OR (43.61209, -122.12771)
Length: 3.5 miles
Difficulty: 6/10 (Moderate)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A semiloop past 2 large waterfalls.
Trail Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recreation/recarea/?recid=4654
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=880921
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: This hike starts at the signed Willamette National Forest parking area for Salt Creek Falls, which is located on the south side of SR 58 30 miles west of US 97 or 22 miles east of Oakridge.  Park in the parking loop for Salt Creek Falls.

The hike: In the travels of a hiker, some ultra-scenic destinations are anticipated months in advance, while others take you by surprise.  I drove into the Willamette National Forest's Salt Creek Falls parking area merely trying to break up the several-hour drive from the Willamette River valley to Crater Lake.  I was expecting a "routine" forest hike, but what I found was two major waterfalls on par with any at Oregon's more famous Silver Falls State Park.  The scenery here was nothing short of amazing, and I had an excellent hike here.

            The size and water volume of Salt Creek Falls surprised me due to their location high in the Willamette River's watershed.  Willamette Pass, the highest point on SR 58, the main route out of the southeast corner of the Willamette River valley, lies less than 6 miles east of here.  Salt Creek Falls' close proximity to SR 58 and easy access by ADA-accessible trail make it a popular destination, so you will likely not be alone here, especially in the summer.

            For people willing to venture past the developed overlooks at the rim of Salt Creek Falls, more wonderful scenery awaits, as does more solitude.  One trail descends to the base of Salt Creek Falls and offers perhaps the area's best waterfall view.  Another trail leads along the rim of Salt Creek's canyon before heading up a ravine that leads to another excellent waterfall: Diamond Creek Falls.  This hike uses both of these trails to explore all the scenery this area has to offer.

Trailhead at parking loop

            From the Salt Creek Falls parking loop, browse the numerous interpretive signs before heading down the asphalt trail that leads to the top of Salt Creek Falls.  In only 150 feet, you reach the rimtop observation site for Salt Creek Falls.  At 286 feet, Salt Creek Falls is the second highest single-drop waterfall in Oregon.  Salt Creek provides plenty of water to fall, and impressive vertical basalt cliffs towering on either side of the waterfall make for a stark setting.

Rimtop view of Salt Creek Falls

            After enjoying the rimtop view, take the trail to the right that heads to the base of the waterfall.  The well-engineered trail descends on a moderate grade using steps and switchbacks.  Tall pine trees make for a nice setting that is disrupted only by traffic noise from nearby SR 58.

Base view of Salt Creek Falls

            Just past 0.3 miles, you reach the base-view overlook for Salt Creek Falls.  I found the base view more impressive than the rim view: the heights of the cliffs and the waterfall become more imposing from this angle.  The trail ends at the overlook, so now you have to retrace your steps back uphill to the rimtop waterfall observation site.

Trail to base of Salt Creek Falls

            Next walk past the rimtop waterfall overlooks and through a nice shady picnic area along Salt Creek above the falls.  At the end of the picnic area, the asphalt ends when you cross a long wooden bridge over Salt Creek.  A wooden sign here indicates that this is the start of the Diamond Creek Falls Trail, which is marked with blue blazes.

Start of Diamond Creek Falls Trail

            After crossing the bridge, you find yourself in a pleasant grove of pine trees, where the Diamond Creek Falls Trail splits to form its loop.  To make the climbing a little easier, I turned right and used the trail going left as my return route, thus hiking the loop counterclockwise.  The trail undulates moderately as it heads west with Salt Creek's canyon below the falls on the right.  Some rocky outcrops give expansive views down the canyon.

View down Salt Creek's canyon

            As you hike the Diamond Creek Falls Trail, you may notice that all of the blazes and trail signs are located several feet above your head.  This oddity is due to the fact that this trail is used by snowshoers in the winter when several feet of snow blanket the ground.  After passing the last Salt Creek Canyon overlook, the trail curves left and begins climbing up the ravine of Fall Creek, which flows and cascades downhill to your right.

Hiking the Diamond Creek Falls Trail

            After a moderate climb up the ravine, the spur trail to Diamond Creek Falls exits right at 2.1 miles.  The spur trail descends on a somewhat steep and precarious course to reach the base of Diamond Creek Falls.  If you do not feel like taking the spur trail, a rimtop overlook of Diamond Creek Falls sits just ahead on the main trail.  Measuring 121 feet in height, Diamond Creek Falls is a tall cascading-type waterfall.  Fall Creek provides a decent amount of water, and this waterfall would be very impressive had you not passed Salt Creek Falls earlier in this hike.

Diamond Creek Falls

            After climbing a single switchback, you reach a trail intersection.  The option going straight is the Vivian Lake Trail, and it leads to Fall Creek Falls and its namesake lake, both of which lie in the Willamette National Forest's Diamond Peak Wilderness.  Turn left to continue the Diamond Creek Falls Trail.

Hiking through dense forest

            Soon you cross dirt FR 420 and reach the highest elevation on this hike, which is about 400 vertical feet above the base of Salt Creek Falls.  The balance of the hike descends through young pine forest that features a dense understory of mountain laurel.  Despite the dense forest, I did some nice bird watching here.  Just past 3.2 miles, you close the Diamond Creek Falls Trail's loop.  Turn right to recross the bridge over Salt Creek and walk back through the picnic area to return to the Salt Creek Falls observation area and complete the hike.  Before you leave, isn't fantastic 286-foot Salt Creek Falls worth one more look?

Willamette Park and Natural Area in Corvallis, OR (Blog Hike #867)

Trails: (unnamed)

Hike Location: Willamette Park
Geographic Location: south side of Corvallis, OR (44.55047, -123.25160)
Length: 2.1 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A nearly flat loop partly along the banks of the Willamette River.
Park Information: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/parksrec/page/willamette-park-natural-area
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=880660
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From downtown Corvallis, take SR 99W south 1.1 miles to Crystal Lake Drive; there is a traffic light at this intersection.  Turn left on Crystal Lake Dr.  Take Crystal Lake Dr. east 0.5 miles to Fischer Lane and turn left on Fischer Ln.  Fischer Ln. deadends at Willamette Park's boat ramp; park in the parking lot beside the boat ramp.

The hike: Consisting of 287 acres on the west bank of the Willamette River, Willamette Park is the largest park and crown jewel in the City of Corvallis' park system.  The park's most popular amenities are the Crystal Lake Sports Fields, which offer a seemingly uncountable number of soccer and baseball fields, and the Willamette Boat Landing.  A disc golf course lies at the park's south end, and the fact that most of the park has been designated an off-leash dog area makes the park puppy friendly.

            Fortunately for hikers, most of the park's riverfront acreage remains in its natural state.  The park has trailheads at both the north and south ends of the heavily wooded riparian area, and several routes are possible through the park's trail system.  This hike starts from the park's north trailhead, goes south through the natural area, and returns by going past the athletic fields, thus sampling all the park has to offer.

North Trailhead

            The parking area at the north trailhead is also the parking area for the Willamette Boat Landing.  Many trails depart from the information kiosk and vehicle gate here, but I started with the dirt trail that angles softly left and heads into the woods.  Note that none of the trails at this park are marked, so you may want to take a picture of the trail map at the information kiosk for reference later in this hike.  Quickly you cross a wide dirt trail and reach the Willamette River's gravelly bank.  Despite your close proximity to Corvallis, the view is surprisingly free of man-made objects, and the river's clear waters beckon you or your dog to wade in.

Willamette River

            To continue the hike, retrace your steps to the wide dirt trail and turn left to begin heading south with the river through the trees on the left.  The trail heads through dense forest that features a large number of cottonwood trees.  Where side trails exit right or left, continue straight on the widest trail.

Southbound near the river

            At 0.75 miles, the wide dirt trail ends at another gravel river beach.  I shared this beach with a couple of anglers, but again signs of man-made intrusions are minimal.  After enjoying the second beach, retrace your steps to the previous side trail intersection and turn left to continue heading south on a narrower trail.

Second gravel river beach

            The trail climbs slightly to leave the river's floodplain, and at 1.2 miles you reach the park's south trailhead near the park's disc golf course.  As with the north trailhead, many trails converge here, and thus you have many options for getting back to your car.  You could choose the narrower dirt trail going right that stays in the riverside natural area, or you could choose a dirt trail going left that goes close to the park's west boundary and hence the residential area beyond.  For the shortest route back to the north trailhead, I chose the asphalt trail that goes through the middle of the park.

Asphalt return trail

            The asphalt trail starts in the woods, but soon it enters the park's sunny athletic fields.  Some nice views of the Coast Mountains' foothills open up across the soccer fields to the west.  Just past 2 miles, you return to the north trailhead by the park's boat ramp to complete the hike.

William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge: Cabell Marsh and Homer Carpenter Boardwalk Trails (Blog Hike #866)

Trails: Cabell Marsh and Homer Carpenter Boardwalk Trails
Hike Location: William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge
Geographic Location: south of Corvallis, OR (44.41908, -123.32559)
Length: 2.3 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A semiloop with good bird-viewing opportunities in Cabell Marsh.
Refuge Information: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/william_l_finley/
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=880662
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: From Corvallis, take SR 99W south 9 miles to Finley Road and turn right on Finley Rd.  Drive gravel Finley Rd. west 1.3 miles to Finley Refuge Road and turn left on Finley Refuge Rd.  Drive Finley Refuge Rd. another 1.5 miles to the refuge's administrative headquarters on the left.  Park in the parking lot beside the headquarters.

The hike: Sprawling for 5325 acres of wetlands and old farm fields, William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge is a major birding destination in the Willamette River valley south of Corvallis.  The refuge is an important wintering site for the dusky Canada goose, large numbers of which fly down here every winter from the Copper River delta in Alaska.  I only saw a few Canada geese when I came here on a warm summer morning in mid-July, but I saw a large number of other birds.  Thus, I can easily see this refuge's appeal to birders.

            Unlike most national wildlife refuges that offer only short wildlife viewing trails, William L. Finley also offers over 12 miles of trails for hikers.  While most of the land is fairly flat, some of the trails are quite hilly, including the 2.5 mile Mill Hill Loop in the western part of the refuge.  Having done a long hike at Silver Falls State Park the previous day, I was looking for something flat and easy, and the semiloop described here fits that description.  Even better, this hike takes you past the refuge's best wetlands, thus allowing you to maximize your bird viewing while minimizing your difficulty.

Trailhead at headquarters parking lot

            From the back of the headquarters parking lot, pick up the signed gravel Cabell Marsh Trail as it heads across the grassy headquarters' back yard and into the woods.  Quickly the trail passes through a wooden shelter with interpretive signs and benches.  Signs warn you that this trail is closed between November 1 and March 31 to protect wintering wildlife.

Wooden interpretive shelter

            At 0.1 miles, the entrance trail ends at a T-intersection with an old gravel road.  This intersection forms the loop portion of this hike.  Turn right to take a direct route to the best wetlands.  The trail curves left to head east with the open waters of Cabell Marsh on the right.  Although I came here in the middle of summer, I saw a large number of birds and insects here including a bald eagle, Canada geese, herons, goldfinches, sparrows, dragonflies, and bumblebees.

Birds in Cabell Marsh

            Too soon the open waters are left behind.  The two-track gravel road now curves right and becomes bordered on either side by a shallower marsh filled with cattails.  Numerous prairie wildflowers bloom in this sunny wet meadow, and nice views of Mill Hill can be had across Cabell Marsh to the west.  Some blackberries a little too early for picking grew beside the trail when I hiked here.

View west across Cabell Marsh

            A rabbit greeted me just before I reached a trail intersection at 0.9 miles, where the Cabell Marsh Trail ends.  Directional signs point left to Pigeon Butte and right to Mill Hill, and those are good destinations if you wish to extend your hike.  I wanted to keep my hike short and easy, so I turned around and headed back on the Cabell Marsh Trail.  To add a little variety to your return route, when you get back to the open water portion of Cabell Marsh, look to the right for a boardwalk that is the start of the Homer Carpenter Boardwalk Trail.  Turn right to begin hiking the wooden boardwalk.

Boardwalk through swamp forest

            The boardwalk soon reaches a wooden bird blind that offers a view of Cabell Marsh that is inferior to the ones you had from the other trail.  Continue to follow the boardwalk as it heads north to carry you over a swamp forest that features trees draped in Spanish moss, a sight more common in Louisiana than in Oregon.  The shady forest provides welcome relief from the sun but not from the humidity on hot summer days.

Hiking on the old gravel road

            At 1.9 miles, you reach the parking lot that serves the Homer Carpenter Boardwalk.  To get back to the parking lot that contains your car, walk out toward the main refuge road, but just before you reach the road look to the left to find a gated gravel road that is the unsigned start of the Cabell Marsh Trail.  Turn left to begin the gravel road, and after a few hundred feet you reach an intersection with the entrance trail to close the loop.  Turn right to walk back up the entrance trail to return to the headquarters parking lot and complete the hike.

Silver Falls State Park: Trail of Ten Falls (Blog Hike #865)

Trail: Trail of Ten Falls
Hike Location: Silver Falls State Park
Geographic Location: east of Salem, OR (44.87644, -122.65155)
Length: 8.1 miles
Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)

Date Hiked: July 2021
Overview: A classic semiloop passing 10 waterfalls.
Park Information: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=151
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=880578
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: 

Directions to the trailhead: From Salem, take SR 22 east 7.5 miles to SR 214 (exit 9).  Exit and go east on SR 214.  Drive SR 214 north/east 12 miles to the South Falls Day Use Area parking lot.  Park in this large parking lot.

The hike: Consisting of more than 9000 acres in the Cascade Mountains' western foothills, Silver Falls State Park is Oregon's largest state park and the crown jewel of Oregon's state park system.  Before it became a park, the area was a center for logging activity, and a small lumber town known as Silver Falls City stood near today's South Falls Day Use Area parking lot.  In the 1920's, the area was considered for inclusion in the United States' newly formed national park system, but it was rejected due to the large number of ugly tree stumps left by recent logging activity.  The state park officially opened in 1933.

            In 1935, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) designated this land a Recreational Demonstration Area, and they built several structures near South Falls that today comprise the Silver Falls historic district.  The scenery remains as good as many national parks, but recent attempts to make this park into a national park have failed to advance in legislatures.  The park offers a 91-site campground, 14 cabins, and a horse camp, but most of the park's visitors drive in from outside the park.  Thus, be sure to arrive at the park early to secure a parking spot, even in the vast parking lot near South Falls.  When I came here on a mild Friday in mid-July, the lot was 95% empty when I arrived at 9am but 80% full when I departed at 3pm.

            The park offers more than 24 miles of hiking trails, but by far the park's most popular and famous trail is the Trail of Ten Falls.  True to its name, the Trail of Ten Falls passes 10 major waterfalls, 8 of which lie in Silver Creek's two main tributaries and 2 of which lie in smaller side streams.  Taking in all 10 waterfalls requires an 8.1 mile loop hike with some side trips, but the well-built trail avoids most steep areas, thus making the journey doable for people in decent physical condition.

Trailhead: South Falls Day Use Area

            From the north end of the South Falls Day Use parking area, head down the paved trail marked as leading to South Falls with the restroom building on your left.  Pass several stone and log structures built by the CCC, and turn left when you reach the Stone Circle to begin the Canyon Trail.  Ignore the Maple Ridge Trail that exits right and soon reach the rim of the canyon.  You can barely see your first waterfall, 177-foot South Falls, pouring over the rim of the canyon to your left here.

Side view of South Falls

            To get a better view of South Falls, stay on the Canyon Trail as it descends into the canyon via several switchbacks.  Where the Canyon Trail splits, you can go either way.  The trail going straight goes behind South Falls, but the trail going right gives a better view from the front of South Falls and a shorter route to the rest of the Canyon Trail.  From in front or behind, South Falls is an impressive ledge-type waterfall with a huge plunge pool lined by vertical and undercut basalt cliffs.

South Falls

            The Canyon Trail exits the South Falls area by heading north downstream along the west bank of the South Fork of Silver Creek.  Some huge pine trees live in this canyon, and the wide dirt trail with gradual grade makes for easy going.  Just past 1 mile into the hike, you descend a long set of stone steps that leads down to Lower South Falls, the second waterfall on this hike.  At 93 feet high, Lower South Falls is another ledge-type waterfall, though the water takes a short cascade before reaching the plunge pool.

Lower South Falls

            The trail passes behind Lower South Falls and continues its downstream journey.  At 1.4 miles, you top a small rise and reach a trail intersection.  The Maple Ridge Trail exits right here, and you could use it if you wanted a shorter 2.3 mile hike that passes only two waterfalls.  To see all ten waterfalls, angle left to stay on the Canyon Trail.

Hiking along North Fork of Silver Creek

            For the next 2.8 miles the Canyon Trail heads upstream along the North Fork of Silver Creek.  This section of trail is narrower than the initial section, but overall the grade remains gradual and the going fairly easy.  The remoteness of this section of trail allowed me to do some good bird watching that included some woodpeckers and a wide variety of common woodland birds.  At 2.2 miles, you cross over to the north bank of the North Fork of Silver Creek via an iron bridge.  Next you pass Lower North Falls, a 30-foot cascading waterfall with a large plunge pool.  Lower North Falls would be a show-stopping waterfall at some parks, but it seems rather pedestrian compared to the two you have already seen here.

Lower North Falls

            Just past Lower North Falls, a spur trail leads left a few hundred feet to Double Falls, this hike's fourth waterfall.  Double Falls lies on a tributary of Silver Creek rather than on one of its main forks, and thus the water volume will be rather low except during snowmelt or after a good rain.  Nevertheless, at 178 feet tall, Double Falls is the tallest waterfall on this hike.

Double Falls

            Back on the Canyon Trail, next you pass Drake Falls, a 27-foot cascading waterfall, before the spur trail to Middle North Falls exits right.  Middle North Falls is a 106-foot ribbon-type waterfall, and hiking down the spur trail will take you behind the waterfall.  It is hard to get a good view of this impressive waterfall without hiking the spur trail, so detouring a few hundred feet down the spur trail is highly recommended.

Middle North Falls

            Just past 3 miles, you reach another trail intersection.  We will eventually go straight to continue the gradual climb up the floor of the canyon, but to see all 10 waterfalls, you need to take a detour to the right on the Winter Trail.  The Winter Trail crosses the North Fork of Silver Creek on another iron bridge before beginning a gradual climb up Winter Creek's ravine.

Bridge at start of Winter Trail

            At 3.4 miles, you reach the base of Winter Falls.  True to its name, this 134-foot waterfall was barely a drip when I came here, but it can be rather spectacular during a winter snow melt.  At this point, you need to make a decision.  You can continue up the Winter Trail to the Rim Trail for a shorter loop of 5 miles that passes only seven waterfalls.  To hike the full Trail of Ten Falls, retrace your steps back down to the Canyon Trail and turn right to continue your journey up the Canyon Trail.

Winter Falls

            Just shy of 4 miles, you pass Twin Falls, a 31-foot waterfall with parallel cascades; it is hard to get the right angle for a good picture of this waterfall.  Ignore the Twin Falls Trail that exits left and continue on the streamside Canyon Trail.  Road noise comes within earshot as you approach North Falls, a 136-foot ledge waterfall that comes across as South Falls' little brother.  The trail passes behind the waterfall, and some benches behind the waterfall make nice places to sit, rest, and have a snack just past the midpoint of this hike.

North Falls

North Falls

            Next comes the steepest climb of this hike: the trail climbs out of the canyon using numerous stairs and switchbacks.  The trail is somewhat narrow here, but fences protect you against falling back into the canyon.  Just past 5 miles, you reach the end of the Canyon Trail where it intersects the Rim Trail, which goes hard right.  We will eventually take the Rim Trail, but good mathematicians will observe that we have only passed 9 waterfalls, and the Rim Trail does not visit any creekside areas, hence passes no waterfalls.  To get your tenth waterfall, continue straight and follow signs along a spur trail for Upper North Falls.

Rim and Canyon Trails intersect

            The spur trail passes under a SR 214 bridge before the Perimeter Trail exits right.  Stay left to keep following the North Fork of Silver Creek.  At 5.4 miles, you reach the highest elevation of this hike and the viewpoint for Upper North Falls.  Upper North Falls is only 65 feet tall, but it is an attractive waterfall with several drops and cascades.

Upper North Falls

            The spur trail ends at Upper North Falls, so having completed your 10 waterfall quest you have to retrace your steps under SR 214 and then angle softly left to begin the Rim Trail.  The last 2.2 miles of this hike follow the Rim Trail, which as its name suggests undertakes a rolling course along the rim of the canyon you hiked up earlier.  After all of the waterfalls and aquatic action along the Canyon Trail, the Rim Trail seems almost boring, but the trail's old growth pine forest with a dense understory of ferns is second to none.  SR 214 lies just feet to the left, and while the road noise can be distracting, it also offers an easy bail-out option if you get too tired.

Hiking the Rim Trail

            At 6.8 miles, you pass the Winter Falls Trailhead, where the Winter Falls Trail enters from the right.  A moderate climb comes next, and soon you cross an asphalt bike path.  Both the bike path and the Rim Trail head to the Stone Circle and the Silver Falls historic district, so you can choose either route you wish.  After crossing two park roads and a small parking area, a gradual descent brings you to Stone Circle.  Turn left to walk the paved trail back to the parking lot and complete the hike.