Smith Creek Loop Hike

Overview

This hike in the southwestern quadrant of Oregon's largest state park leads mostly along gentle slopes through quiet secondary forest. The loop skirts the edge of the true Silver Falls "backcountry" as it winds above the Silver Falls Conference Center complex and the salmonberry-choked bottomlands of Howard and Smith Creeks. An outstanding feature of the hike are the huge, ancient Douglas-firs you will encounter along the east bank of Smith Creek and above Howard Creek. While dogs are not permitted on the waterfall trails in the park, they can accompany you on these almost deserted trails although they must be kept on leash. You will also share some of the trails with mountain bikers and horses. In spring, forest wildflowers will brighten the verges of the trails, but this is also a good option for gloomy winter days when a hike under a forest canopy is just the ticket. The 214 Trail, a wide gravel tread for hikers, mountain bikers and horses, begins across Lookout Mountain Road from the parking area. Head down in secondary forest, mainly Douglas-fir and western hemlock with vine maple, sword fern, and salal as an understory. At the junction with the Newt Loop (and signed for the Catamount Trail), a complex of mountain bike trails, stay left on the 214 Trail. Aluminum diamonds on trees mark the way. Hike alongside a huge fallen Douglas-fir which acts as a nurse for whole communities. Hemlocks and red huckleberry sprout from large old stumps. Descend past a salmonberry thicket and huge snags. In an open area of salmonberry, alder and hemlock, come to a junction with a fire road. Keep straight (right) and pass above a forested spring on your left. The road keeps up under larger Douglas-firs. The gravel ends and the trail descends as a wide dirt track. Arrive at the Smith Creek-214 Trail Junction, which has a map sign. The 214 Trail goes left, but you head downhill and right on the Smith Creek Trail, color-coded yellow. Switchback down and cross a small creek on a track paved with alder leaves. At the horse gat

Trail Stats

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