Trail of Ten Falls waterfall hike

Monday's hot forecast will be slightly cooler near Silver Falls area, so let's catch some spray! This is an easy yet waterfall-packed trail of epic proportions.

Event photo from our 2023 trip

• Difficulty: Easy, but we’ll be zipping along whenever we’re not enjoying those plentiful waterfall photo opps
• Hiking distance: 7 miles, possibly 9 or 10
• Elevation gain: Only 1300’
• Total time: 4-5 hours, including photo stops. If the pace is good, we'll get done early
• Driving distance: 53 miles one way, for example only, if people were to arrange a carpool from Portland’s Gateway Transit Center at 7:15
• Permits: $5 parking fee (one day), or Annual State Parks pass for $30
• Dogs: Not allowed on the Canyon Trail, so that’s a no for this event

The Plan:
Driving or carpooling, we will meet at South Falls Lodge to begin our journey. We will hike to the top of South Falls, and continue on a journey that will include South Falls, Lower South Falls, Lower North Falls, Double North Falls, Drake Falls, Middle North Falls, Winter Falls, Twin Falls, North Falls, Upper North Falls, creeks, a small cave, and a forest.

• My natural hiking style is fairly brisk (3-3.5 mph when not running), but anyone who enjoys an energetic hike at any reasonable pace is welcome. No one will be left behind. We will enjoy a TON of short breaks for waterfalls, snacks, photos, and viewpoints. There is no such thing as too many photo opps.

• Bring: 2+ liters of water, food/snacks, warm layers of non-cotton clothing, a camera, and waterproof shoes/ boots with good traction. Poles could be useful.

It is also recommended that hikers always carry the, ahem, “Eleven” Essentials:
1. Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7. Knife/tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wild.
11. A ChatGPT manifesto

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; Northwest Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.