Winter Falls Hike
For the visitors that want to hike on a short trail, the small Winter Falls Parking Area allows easy access to Winter Falls with a 0.4-mile, round-trip hike down to the bottom of the canyon and back up. The name of this waterfall comes from the fact that it depends heavily on snowmelt and runoff during winter and spring. If you visit this waterfall during those two seasons, this waterfall becomes one worth taking a picture, but if you visit during late summer, it really won't be worth the steep hike back out of the canyon. Near the base of this waterfall is a bench that offers hikers a place to eat lunch while enjoying the scenery before heading back up. The Winter Trail does continue on for almost a mile more past the bench, in which it crosses the north fork of Silver Creek and connects to the Canyon Trail, for those that would like to go on to see more waterfalls.
Winter Falls in May at left, and in July at right
As with any hike, be prepared, as their might be mud, snow, ice, standing water, and/or large branches on the trail. Roots and rocks can also be sticking out as well. Unlike the Rim Trail that connects to it, pets are not allowed on the Winter Trail. One last reminder, if you decide to hike this trail between December and April, go on the Silver Falls State Park web page to check the current conditions of the trails and always use caution, as a man lost his life last winter due to falling off the trail near Winter Falls.
So if you feel like taking a short hike during winter, check out the Winter Trail at Silver Falls State Park. Until next time, get outside and and enjoy hiking on one of the many trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.
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