John Guilford's Hikes

Date: 2018-07-30

Location: Trail of Ten Falls, Silver Falls State Park

People: (including myself): Pam

				Alt.	Miles
Parking Area:		12:30	1400	0 
South Falls:		12:45	1400	0.2
Lower South Falls:	1:15	1200	1.2
low point:   			1120	1.5
Lower North Falls:	2:30	1220	2.5
Drake Falls:		2:40	1300	2.6
Middle North Falls:		1360	2.8
Winter Falls:			1500	3.4
high point:			1600
Parking Area:		3:30	1400	4.5

From the parking area, it is a short hike to the first falls, namely South Falls.  Just above the falls is a small bridge over South Fork Silver Creek.  When we were there, the lighting on that stretch of creek and the bridge was very pleasant. 

Our average pace on the hike was relatively slow.  I brought a tripod with me, and we spent considerable time at the waterfalls taking photos.  Many of the waterfalls (100 to 170 feet high) have severly undercut rock faces with the trail passing behind the actual waterfall. 

The trail, which is in really good condition, continues down hill past South Falls to Lower South Falls.  A bit further a side trail, the Maple Ridge Trail returns to the parking area, but we didn't go that way. 

This is about the low point in the loop.  After Maple Ridge Trail, the Canyon Trail crosses from following the South Fork Silver Creek to ascending the North Fork Silver Creek.  After a mile one reaches Lower North Falls with a side trail to Double Falls. 

Continuing a short way on the Canyon Trail, one reaches Drake Falls followed shortly by Middle North Falls. 

The Canyon Trail continues to the North Falls, but we didn't have the time to go that far.  Instead, we took the Winter Trail up to the canyon rim.  There one passes Winter Falls (presumably they call it that as it has water only in the winter?).  There was just a trickle of water flowing over the "falls" when we were there. 

We then took the Rim Trail back to the South Falls Day-use Area.  We had a bit of time and drove out to North Falls on our way out of the park. 

Picturesque bridge just above South Falls on South Fork Silver Creek. 

South Falls. 

Lower South Falls. 

Lower North Falls. 

Drake Falls.