Earlier in the year I was looking through the coast range for waterfalls when I happen across Warnickie Creek Falls in Polk County. Google Earth was measuring this waterfall at 200ft and yet I couldn't find any information about it other than an old picture taken in 1975. This huge waterfall with no information had my attention. After doing a little research into the area I realized that the entire area was owned and gated by a logging company. My best way in appeared to be a 10plus bike ride on logging roads just to get to the canyon. This plan was put on the back burner until next year....that's where Portland Hikers comes in. I remembered a fellow hiker had been in that part of the coast range from a TR. Trekkerdave had done a TR a while back on a bike and bushwhack to Little Luckiamute Falls. His report here:
http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/vie ... 10&t=14997 I contacted Dave and was glad that I did.He informed me that the Black Rock gate west of Falls City was open on weekend through the month of October for hunting season. Yay for hunting season...looks like I'll get a shot at seeing Warnicke Creek Falls.
For this outing Melinda and I teamed up with Trekkerdave. Dave grew up in this area and has roamed these hills a few times. In fact he had seen Warnicke Falls from the road a few years back and had shared a couple of pictures with me. Today we were heading there to make our way down the steep canyon to the base of the falls. Dave took us to Falls City Falls to start the day.
It was a nice drive out on roads that weren't marked on my topo map. I was really glad Dave knew where he was going.
This part of the coast range has been clear-cut and reclear-cut.
After a long drive we were there...looking right at the falls. They are huge!
I had looked over GE and saw what looked like the easiest way down. The terrain was very steep and brushy....very very brushy! Coming back out was not going to be very fun. Down we went, Melinda and I made it to the creek and worked our way upstream. Dave found his way upstream a little ways up on the hill. Dave got there first. Wow! Warnicke Creek Falls from the base....awesome!
The sun was just rising to the top of the falls but I think we all got a few good pictures in before it blasted out our view.
Now came the steep climb out of this canyon. Lucky us we found a game path that almost took us to the road. Me and Dave climbing out.
More clear-cut with smoke from burning debris piles. Looking west...I think the mountain on the left is Bald Mt.
This area has quite a few hidden waterfalls and we still had a good part of the day left. Next stop was Boulder Creek Falls. A lot easier bushwhack to this nice little 30ft waterfall.
After Boulder Creek Falls we headed over to Silver Falls. The view from the ridge was incredible!
You could see Mt. Hood all the way down to Mt. Bachelor. The Sisters and Bachelor.
No view of the falls from the south so we crossed the top of the falls to try and get a view form the north side of the canyon. Looking out over the horizon line of part of Silver Falls. Mt. Jefferson is tiny in the distance.
We had to make our way past a huge mushroom!
Actual size with Dave.
Wow...Silver Falls is awesome! The canyon was really deep and surrounded by cliffs, the falls were easily over 150ft. This waterfall was really impressive, we were happy with the view we had. Silver Falls.
Still a little time in the day so we mad our way back towards Fall City and then headed south to Teal Creek to try and see the falls there. The road passd above the falls and they could partially be seen through the trees. The canyon was pretty cliffed out. Me looking down at the falls from the top.
Not enough time in the day to go way downstream and bushwhack back up we decided to try and find a cliff side view of the falls. Found one on the south side...Teal Creek Falls
A happy Melinda after a day of seeing some awesome waterfalls.
It was a great day out and wouldn't have been possible without Trekkerdave. Thanks Dave! Too much fun and excitement we didn't get a group picture...we'll have to get one next time.
