Solitude in the Coast Range

Photo's by Gerrit Roelof

(HEBO, Ore) — Some scenic destinations require extensive travel and grueling hikes to gain access to their greatness. Others are a pleasant day hike away. On today’s adventure, I chose the day hike option. Although the walk was a pleasant one, the drive does require some navigational skills. A map and GPS would be good accessories for this adventure.

Deep in the Siuslaw National Forest between Willamina and Hebo lie a pair of beautiful waterfalls, so close that they almost spray each other. Pheasant Creek Falls and Niagara Falls are both roughly 120 feet in height. In winter and early spring they roar with thunder and spray. By summer time they are a much more gentle, but no less inspiring view to behold. And the beauty of it is that you’ll often have them both to yourself.

From the Niagara Falls Trailhead, it’s a short one mile hike and less than 400 feet elevation loss to reach them. You’ll pass Trillium blossoms, ferns and towering Douglas Fir as you descend into this thickly covered green canyon. A series of small foot bridges will follow the un-named creek which guides you into the forest. You’re first sight will be Pheasant Creek Falls. This is a step-type falls, with a wooden bridge crossing it’s base. In the wetness of winter you’ll get plenty soaked with spray crossing this bridge, but the rest of the year you’ll be fine. After crossing the bridge and leaving this one behind, you’re barely around the corner before Niagara comes into view.

It’s a magnificent sight to behold. Shooting over a basalt cliff into a large round bowl, this falls will remind you of Silver Falls State Park. But you’ll find no crowds or well used trails here. Just a narrow footpath and a single picnic table seemingly dropped on the only ground remotely level.  This proved to be the perfect theater for a peaceful trailside lunch in this lush green nirvana. I sat munching on a sandwich, watching Niagara Creek flow down around the corner out of sight, headed for the Pacific Ocean via the Nestucca River. As I hiked back out to my truck, I noticed the small rough benches on the switchbacks which I’d passed earlier without a care. You don’t think much of them on the descent, but they are a welcome sight on the climb out!

Driving back down toward Willamina, you’ll follow many creeks. For the fishermen out there, these look very habitable to our finned friends. I have yet to walk their banks with a rod, but it won’t be much longer before I do. As I mentioned earlier, this drive requires some navigational skill. You don’t need a four-wheel drive, but you will be on gravel for a significant portion of the journey. Total drive time from Salem is about 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Travel on Highway 22 west, then turn right onto Highway 18 into Willamina. As you come into town, turn left onto Willamina Creek Road (by the Hampton Lumber Yard) and follow this for just over 6 miles. Next turn left on Coast Creek Road for 1.3 miles. Now go right onto Gilbert Creek Road for about 4 miles. Next you’ll see a sign for Niagara Falls on your left, that’s Bible Creek Road. Follow that for 1.3 miles. At the next Niagara Falls sign make a left and then an immediate right onto Forest Road 14. Follow FS 14 for 3 1/2 miles till you hit a T-intersection. Follow the sign to the right for South Lake / Niagara Falls. After about a half mile, you’ll make the final left turn on Forest Service spur road 131, which will take you .7 miles to the trailhead on your left.