The Trail of Ten Falls. Just seeing the intriguing name in a blip on the internet put the trail on my “Want-to-See” list. Do you have one of those lists? A part of me is pulled, like a magnet to metal, with the desire to experience and see everything, so when I run across something interesting, it goes on my list. And boy is my list long! Though I have checked off lots of places, the list keeps growing!

My journey into Oregon took me to Silver Falls State Park and the Trail of Ten Falls. The 7.2-mile loop trail passes a series of breathtaking falls, with the trail snaking behind four of them. It descends into the rocky canyon to the winding creek on the forest floor, with an overall elevation change of 800 feet. Within that loop is a shorter 5-mile loop that takes you past seven of the 10 falls. That is the trail I took. Hiking more than five miles, including the side trails, on rocky ups and downs, was enough, and it was well worth it! Even though my body was arguing with me at the end.

Just being in the forest, absorbing the gorgeous ecosystem surrounding me, breathing in the spray of tumbling waterfalls, hearing the power of the water, witnessing the forest through the veil of the falls…. It was amazing! And stunning!

Located within the boundaries of the Pudding River Watershed, there are more than 9,000 acres of forest, streams and meadows in the park nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. The South and North forks of Silver Creek tumble over ancient lava flows and moss covered canyons forming the waterfalls. With more than 35 miles of trails in the park, there is plenty for biking, hiking, or horseback riding.

Within the watershed, the park is located at the intersection of two ecoregions, the Willamette Valley and the West Cascades. This creates a rich environment shaped by both lowland and mountain influences, with a rich history surrounding the area. Kalapuya and Molalla came to the Willamette Valley about 14,000 years ago, and the population grew to about 15,000 before the settlers began arriving as early as 1812. With the settlers came foreign diseases, which killed many of the indigenous people. Buy the early 1840s, their numbers had dwindled to about 600 people, and they were relocated to reservations in 1854.

The first homestead in Silver Falls was in 1883, and a city was actually plotted in 1888 where some of the park buildings and parking lots are currently located. The city lasted about 40 years, but never reached more than 200 residents. The park opened in 1933, and many of the sites and buildings were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s and 1940s. The CCC also worked on replanting and rehabilitating a large swath of the forest that fires had swept through.

One of the fun experiences is meeting people along the way. I met a couple of women who are older than I am, with more physical limitations, that hiked the entire 7.2 miles and saw all 10 waterfalls. They were heading back about the same time I was, and we rested together at a stop or two on the inclines up to the rim trail back to the parking lot. I admire their spunk, and the joy they found in spotting details.

I also met young people who were excited to be there, and others who were confused by the map. I will admit, it took me a bit to get the map figured out, but I was able to share that knowledge.

It’s interesting the variety of people nature draws to itself.