Henline Falls / Sullivan Creek Falls 4/12/2014

[CampinCarl]

Took the kids (ages 3 and 6) on an exploration out to Sullivan Creek Falls and Henline Falls in the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area / Wilderness on Saturday. Stopped at Rosie's Mountain Coffee in Mill City for a pre-hike java and peanut butter cookie to get this adventure started. Highly recommended!

Gates Hill road was clear and so we made our way that way up into the forest. The first stop was Sullivan Creek Falls for a quick snack and to check out a spot I hadn't seen before. Caution, the road has some pretty big ruts from water about 1/4-1/2 mile beyond Shady Cove campground. Passable in a passenger car, just be careful.

Pulled up to the falls and enjoyed a snack with a view:

Sullivan Creek Falls

Next we retraced our drive back to road 2209 and headed 1/4 east to the Henline Falls TH.

Little North Santiam from bridge near Shady Cove

Henline Falls Trailhead

The nice thing about this short trail is that we weren't in a hurry! We spotted several kinds of flowers, bugs and slugs to keep us entertained along the way.

We found a nice campsite to explore up a short user path after the trail turns off the old roadbed.

Of course, the falls were brilliant as always. I am enchanted by how clear this water is.

[CampinCarl]

Made our way back down to the car, with some rest stops along the way.

Snow report: the cliffs on Henline look clear, and the ridges in the OCSRA to the east look fairly clear as well, with only snow at the very peak.

[BrianEdwards]

I see you had a couple little troopers along for the hike I bet they slept good on the drive home!

[woodswalker]

Always good to see a parent taking kids on a hike they will actually have fun on! Get them hooked early, on things that are fun and doable, that's my theory.

[chiefWright]

Your daughter's response is soooo appropriate to waterfalls in the spring on a sunny day. Have you taken them to Shellrock Falls? Another fun waterfall place outside the gorge & Silver Creek is McDowell Creek east of Albany.

[CampinCarl]

Thanks for all your responses, yes they were thoroughly tuckered out by the end! The drive home was nice and quiet

Your daughter's response is soooo appropriate to waterfalls in the spring on a sunny day. Have you taken them to Shellrock Falls? Another fun waterfall place outside the gorge & Silver Creek is McDowell Creek east of Albany.

Yes, some other great kid-friendly waterfall hikes we've done are Butte Creek Falls, Shellburg Falls, portions of Silver Falls, and McDowell Creek Falls. I'm hiking the closest ones to Salem when I can. I really want to get up to the Clear Lake area this summer and explore that area next.

[raftingdog]

darn happy kids... they inspire hope for the future