SILVER FALLS STATE PARK CANYON TRAIL

Last winter I was reading a book named, Hiking the Pacific Northwest from the library and noted there were 35 waterfall trails within a 40 mile stretch of the Columbia River Gorge in Washington/Oregon. My wife and I made the trip in May.

It would be difficult to condense the trails into the space of this newsletter. Besides the gorge, we hiked in other places, including the above-mentioned park. Take I-5 south from Portland to Hwy 214. This highway goes through the park. There are ten waterfalls on this 8.7 mile paved trail. It is "heaven" for those with more limited physical abilities. Starting at the park office, we view South Falls (177 ft.), then one mile to Lower South Falls (93 ft.), l.2 mile to Lower North Falls (30 ft.), a short distance to Double Falls (173 ft.), 2/10 mile to Drake Falls (27 ft), 2/10 mile to Middle North Falls (106 ft.) At this point, you can fork left to catch Winter Falls (134 ft.) and access the canyon rim to walk back to the office, or you can fork right and pick up Twin falls (31 ft.), North Falls (136 ft.), and Upper North Falls (65 ft.) (you can also pick up the last two from a parking lot on the highway). The return trip along the rim traverses a forest of mossy Douglas Fir trees and the ground is covered with ferns. This unique park also features a four mile paved bicycle path and 14 miles of horse trails.

Another PAVED trail is also close to us in Southern Illinois: Elephant Rocks State Park near Ironton, Missouri.

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