In winter, oregons hiking trails are empty and the waterfalls are. At the falls themselves youll find a small campground, a pleasant picnic area, and a network of riverside trails extending to lessvisited green peak falls. The trail can also be accessed from the alsea falls recreation area, in which case the hike to the falls is less than 0. Theres so much to soak up at lemolo falls from the mini cascades and pools along the north umpqua river, to the enormous 165foot falls, set against a backdrop of electric green moss and basalt rock. After breakfast at debs cafe we decided to check out alsea falls. The alsea falls recreational area offers beautiful waterfalls, miles of trails through secondgrowth forest, a picnic area and campground. A guide to the states best waterfall hikes, second edition. Alsea falls is a gem of mtb in the oregon coast range. Alsea falls recreation site 2020 all you need to know. In summer, this easy 4mile outandback trail is packed with hikers looking to cool off by the water. Misty cloud breath hangs in the cool air as my companion and i start up the trail and enter the. Tillamook county on oregons north coast has a rich cultural history, which is still thriving today. All trails are located between 800 and 1900 elevation, in a second growth forest surrounding fall creek, a tributary of the south fork alsea river.
Alsea falls recreation site bureau of land management. Hiking waterfalls in oregon by adam sawyer 100 hikes travel guide. In winter, oregons hiking trails are empty and the waterfalls are frozen. Falls is accessible from several different starting points, though. Alsea green peak falls and finley nwr 331 post by pdxgene. Alsea falls recreation site is nestled along the south fork alsea river and the south fork alsea river national back country byway between the small communities of alsea and alpine. Alsea green peak falls and finley nwr 331 post by pdxgene april 1st, 2014, 1. The complete guide to more than 490 hikes moon outdoors paperback may 11, 2010. Alsea falls recreation site alsea, or hiking backpacking. Mountain biking at alsea falls, in alsea, oregon, near corvallis. Went on the alsea falls trail head that turned out to be more for mountain bikers than trail. Alsea green peak falls and finley nwr 331 oregon hikers.
The road to this trailhead is marion creek road at mile point 66. Alsea falls is a very popular hiking and mountain biking recreation area, because it is the perfect place to go in the late fall, winter and early spring, when the weather isnt the best. Hiking is the most popular activity to do at alsea falls recreation site due to the incredible beauty of the untouched forests that surround the area. The 12 best waterfalls in oregons north coast range. Alsea falls recreation site all you need to know before. The parking area is not hard to find because there are multiple signs that lead you to the recreation area from the main highways. Marys peak and alsea falls are nearby with great hiking and world class mountain biking. Zach urness is the outdoors editor at the statesman journal in salem and the author of the book hiking southern oregon.
Go right at the trail junction and pass the first footbridge close to the top of alsea falls. At 286 feet, the falls are billed as oregons second tallest singledrop. Hike to alsea and green peak falls, alsea falls trailhead. Hike a little more than a mile along shellburg road in the santiam state forest to see upper and lower shellburg falls, where you can walk behind upper falls. Sullivan is the author of 22 books and numerous articles about oregon, including a oregon trails feature column for the eugene registerguard click here for a sample article about hell hole.
Several falls to enjoy, and restroom and picnic facilities make this a great option for families. Art bernstein has written 16 other nature and hiking books. The south fork of the alsea river flows through the alsea falls recreation site, cascading down 30 feet to form alsea falls in the day use area. Plenty of trail options allow for a short hike or a full day of exploration. Most are part of larger trail systems, permitting custom combinations that can make for a few hours of walking or a daylong hike. Its an ideal day trip from roseburg, 80 miles west.
These trails are great for hiking and mountain biking, are dog friendly voice control and on leash, and they have restrooms. Powell, also available from grassroots books and music 227 sw second street. Along this trail you will hike through a beautiful forest, and it takes you to 100 ft. Sullivan is the author of 16 books and numerous articles about oregon, including an oregon trails column for the eugene registerguard and the salem. One of the easiest coast range waterfalls to access, fern rock falls is found at a pullout on the side of oregon 6 in the tillamook state forest. Eugene oregon what you can do waterfall places to visit hiking adventure coat green life. See two beautiful and lesserknown oregon coast range waterfalls on this relaxing day hike along the uppermost portion of the alsea river. From here a short trail connects to the alsea falls trail at the head of the. Experience one of oregon s beautiful coastal valleys. A couple things to remember while the blm opens the alsea falls recreation area picnic area and campgrounds in midmay, the hiking trails are open anytime. If youre looking for a short hike with quick rewards or a longer hike with options, try alsea falls recreation site. Alsea river trail, located near alsea falls recreation area, oregon is a 0.
Salt creek falls hike hiking in portland, oregon and washington. Short off the beaten path area that has two waterfalls. You can watch wildlife, get in a good run, or bring the family for a picnic day. The book a waterfall lovers guide to the pacific northwest by gregory plumb describes the steep bushwhack previously necessary to reach the falls. This hike explores an offtrail trip to one of my favorite waterfalls in oregon. Alsea fallsthe alsea falls trail system offers a connected network of roads and trails that currently provides a range of opportunities for mountain bikers. To kick off this hike, youll start at the marion lake trailhead.
Walk off our property onto the clemans park trail that meanders along the edge of the north fork of the alsea river. There are plenty of trails to choose from, but the most popular is the alsea falls trail that takes you to the top of the waterfall. Alsea falls recreation area is nestled along the south fork alsea river national back country byway, between the small communities of alsea and alpine. Hiking off trail near alsea falls or vacation travel. Best hiking trails near alsea falls recreation area. A guide to the states best waterfall hikes sawyer, adam on. Detailed information about green peak falls in benton county, oregon. For more, pick up the book corvallis trails, by margie c. Alsea falls recreation site is located along a bureau of land management national back country byway, located in the oregon coast range, miles west of monroe, oregon, in benton county.
A beautiful place to experience oregon rain is on the alsea falls trail southwest of corvallis. This chapter taken from the book 100 hikes travel guide. Alsea falls complete loop mountain bike trail, monroe, oregon. The smith rock hike says to go left to pick up the misery ridge trail, when that trail is to the right. When the recreation area is closed in winter, the easiest access to the falls is from a highway pullout just west of the rec area turnoff. Each book in the hiking waterfalls series includes rich, descriptive trail. We did not hike but seen on the map in the parking area. This route is pieced together to include all the trails that are currently 2014 open in the area. Alsea falls oregon coastal rain forest mountain range book.
Alsea falls recreation site campground, monroe, oregon. Hiking oregon state hiking guides series and millions of other books are available. Shellburg and stassel falls its hard to write an oregon hiking list without including at least one waterfall hike. The high baller and springboard trail loop is the shorter loop, but there is more out there. The tumalo falls description says to take the south fork trail, but the hike described most definitely takes the north fork trail. Oregon s swimming holes very comprehensive paperback book. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust. The 20foot alsea falls and 60foot green peak falls.
These include all oregon and washington state parks, all trailheads in skamania county, trailheads in the national forests and columbia. This hike is perfect for a family trip as the trail is dogfriendly, the alsea river serves as a swimming hole on hot days, and there is a picnic area just. Shop for washington and oregon hiking guidebooks at rei free shipping on all orders. Hike alsea falls to green peak falls life eugene, oregon.
Sullivan is best known for his hiking guidebooks and yes, he has hiked every trail he could find in the state but he has also written six novels, three books on. The byway is often used as an alternative route to waldport along the central oregon coast. This is a great and easy day hike that features two waterfalls alsea falls and green peak falls amid beautiful oregon coast range scenery. Alsea falls oregon coastal rain forest mountain range by. Glacial action carved the ledge here and an active creek did the rest.
Trails range from oldschool singletrack, converted fire roads, tight technical singletrack to. Sullivan is the author of 22 books and numerous articles about. The trail winds along and above peak creek to the base of the falls. The alsea falls recreation area offers 16 overnight camp sites and 22 day use sites along the pristine south fork alsea. The trail is a short loop that goes through both second growth and old growth. Alsea falls is open for camping may 1 through september 30 of each year. Located in the coast range along the south fork of the alsea river, this blmmanaged area is a great place to explore, and you can make your adventure as long or as short as you like. Hike above the rushing south fork alsea in woods with mossdraped yews, douglasfirs, western hemlocks, oregon grape, and sword fern. Overview alsea falls recreation site is located along a bureau of land management national back country byway, located in the oregon coast range, miles west of monroe, oregon, in benton county. The falls itself is a very short distance from where you park, however if you are looking to go hiking there are other trails that lead to other falls.
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