Waterfall Wednesday #1

South Falls

Spilling over five layers of basalt, this 177-foot waterfall is the highest single-drop waterfall in Silver Falls State Park. Only Double Falls, which is a double-drop waterfall, is taller at 178 feet. With a trail that allows people to walk behind the waterfall, this is the most visited waterfall within the park. Near the trail head is an ADA accessible viewing area for those who cannot walk down the steep slope to the bottom of the canyon. Also, keep in mind that pets are not allowed on the canyon trails.

 

 The Geology of South Falls

As you walk behind the waterfall, you can see gaping holes in the rock, and if you look closely enough, you can see the sedimentary rock of the Vantage Interbed. If you are feeling adventurous, you can climb onto this sedimentary rock to get a better view of a tree cast. This particular tree cast will have a hollow 'cast' of a tree with green mineral deposits on the sides. All of the gaping holes that you see from the trail that goes behind the waterfall are called 'erosional chimneys' as they are tree casst that have been eroded outward.

The History Of South Falls

Due to the fact that a small town was built where the present-day day use area is, the South Falls was one of the first waterfalls in the present-day park to be discovered by settlers. In those days, the locals explored the animal trails to see the waterfall. In the late 1800's, locals from a far away as Salem would ride their horses up to the the town to see the falls. By the early 1900's, a man known as D. E. Geise happened to own the piece of property that South Falls flowed over. As a way to make some money, he charged visitors a dime to see the waterfall, and a quarter to witness stunts, such as pushing Model T Fords off the top of the falls. One stuntman, the daredevil Al Faussett, climbed inside a rubber canoe filled with tires from early Fords and went over South Falls and survived with some bruised and broken bones. On March 21, 1931, Superintendent Samuel H. Boardman of the Oregon State Parks division of ODOT purchased the first 100 acres that would become Silver Falls State Park, which included South Falls.

 

If you feel like viewing South Falls yourself, make sure you take appropriate gear as it can be easy to slip in any season. Until next time, get outside and have some happy trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.