Sunday, September 1, 2019, Silver Falls State Park, Silverton, Oregon
On my weekend trip to Oregon in 2019, I took the day to go to Silver Falls State Park, and hike the Canyon Trail, also know as the Trail of 10 Falls. This park is such a gem in the Oregon Parks System!
The park was once the site of Silver Falls City, which was located at the top of South Falls. The community was largely a logging community, but after the land was cleared of timber, a local entrepreneur sold admissions to the falls area and hosted events where cars were pushed over the falls, and a daredevil even rode over the largest falls in a canoe in 1928. His name was “Daredevil Al” Faussett, and yes, he survived the 177 foot drop. That has all been cleaned up now.
In 1926, there was a campaign to give Silver Falls National Park status, but it was not approved, due to all the ugly stumps and mess left from its logging days, not to mention the carcasses of cars that were no doubt left at the base of the falls. Instead, in 1935, Present Roosevelt named it a Recreational Demonstration Area, and the Civilian Conservation Corps moved in to build facilities, clean up debris, build trails and widen some of the trails behind the waterfalls. Yes, the trails behind the waterfalls already existed, because the area was formed with basalt over sandstone, and the softer sandstone eroded over time, both to create the canyon, and to erode the narrow pathways behind some of the falls.
When you hike the Canyon Trail, you will pass 10 different waterfalls; you can walk behind some of the waterfalls for a stunning view! On the 7 mile hike, you pass South Falls, Lower South Falls, Lower North Falls, Double Falls, Drake Falls, Middle North Falls, Winter Falls, Twin Falls, North Falls and Upper North Falls. Winter Falls is at the end of a half mile spur trail off the main trail and Double Falls is on a 0.1 mile spur trail. When I was there in early September, it was pretty dry from the summer weather; I would love to go back in the spring when the waterfalls are at their peak flow!
I was there on a Sunday, on Labor Day weekend, and the park was packed. Next time I would go on a weekday if I could, and I would definitely camp in the campground there. I think that would be so much fun!
Unfortunately, I can’t tell you which waterfall is in which photo, but enjoy!
Wine and History Visited 
How lovely.
It’s so beautiful there!
I wish I could transport myself there just to see the waterfalls.
A few of these waterfalls are just a short walk from the parking lot. They are quite beautiful to see.