Spend these crisp fall weekends hiking Oregon’s endless trails. Scour the forests for deep reds and glowing yellows as the hunter green old-growth trees tower above you.
Here are some of our favorite fall hikes:
Smith Rock, near Redmond
Day pass required, purchasable at trail head
Feast your eyes on the rich purples and mustard yellows as you hike along the Crooked River at the base of Smith Rock.
Follow the River Trail, and keep your eye out for rock climbers dangling high above you on one of the several thousand climbs in the park.
Want to really feel the burn? Follow the signs to Misery Ridge Trail. The 2/3 of a mile dirt path traverses to the top of Smith, rewarding you with a breathtaking view of the deep river canyons and Central Oregon.
Proxy Falls, Highway 242 between milepost 64 & 65
Day pass required, purchasable at trail head and the Eugene, Cascades & Coast Adventure Center
Proxy Falls is a family friendly 1.25 mile loop hike off Highway 242. This is one of the best place to see leaves at peak or near peak. The forest floor is bright red and yellow right now.
Fall colors on the hike to Proxy Falls
Meander through volcanic lava fields and meander through dense forest to reach the 226 feet waterfall.
Base of Proxy Falls
Koosah & Sahalie Falls, Highway 126 between milepost 5 & 6
No fee
The wilderness around Koosah and Sahalie Falls is still very green. However, the drive to them is peppered with near peak or at peak colors. Look for the brightest color in the lava fields between Sisters and Hoodoo.
Koosah and Sahalie Falls are a half mile drive apart or an easy ¾ of a mile walk on a woodsy trail.
Koosah Falls
The two breathtaking waterfalls were created 3,000 years ago when thick lava flows converged on the McKenzie River.
Sahalie Falls
Looking for a longer option? Explore the old-growth forest on the 3-mile loop that connects the two falls and follows the glacier-fed rivers.
Hiking near Sahalie Falls
Sahalie Falls viewpoint is wheelchair accessible.
Sahalie Falls information booth
We know these are just a few of the hundreds of fall hiking options. What are your favorite fall hikes?
Do you know of any hikes near the Gates area (along HWY 22 between Salem and Detroit) that have fall color?
Our friends at Travel Salem recommend Shellburg Falls. Here’s a link with more info:
http://www.waterfallsnorthwest.com/nws/falls.php?num=4433.
Happy trails!
In the Gates area, you could also do Opal Creek, Henline Falls, or the Little North Fork Trail. They are all beautiful.