22 min
Overview
The loop hike using the Maple Ridge Trail is one of the shorter loops in Silver Falls State Park, offering the chance to view and even walk behind South Falls and Lower South Falls. Silver Falls State Park is well-known for its display of yellowing maples in the fall, so this is the perfect outing to enjoy those colors. The loop can be hiked in either direction: The description below begins with a descent of Maple Ridge and then a hike up the canyon of the South Fork Silver Creek to enjoy the two waterfalls on the loop. Walk past the restrooms and nature store to pass in front of the South Falls Lodge, a 1940s era building in the northwest forest style. There's a small cafeteria inside. Another quarter mile down the bricked trail will bring you to a trail junction. Turn right on the Maple Ridge Trail and start north. The trail turns to dirt and begins to drop down into the Silver Creek Canyon. You'll be hiking under a forest canopy of tall Douglas-firs, hemlocks, and moss-draped maples. A few switchbacks take you down the nose of the ridge, and you can catch glimpses of the North Fork Silver Creek rushing below. About a mile from the Silver Falls Lodge, you'll come to another trail junction on the crest of the ridge between the North and South Forks of Silver Creek. There's a small bench to rest on here. Go left on the Canyon Trail, and switchback down to the South Fork of Silver Creek. Then proceed up the South Fork Canyon. Soon, you'll come to Lower South Falls. The creek plunges off of a lava lip in a wide sheet here. Like most waterfalls, Lower South Falls is more dramatic in the winter and spring when water flows are highest. The trail loops behind the waterfall itself in a large cave-like grotto. After crossing behind the waterfall, the trail climbs several switchbacks of stairs and continues upstream. After a long half-mile in mossy woods of Douglas-fir, hemlock, cedar, and big-leaf maple with an understory of salmonberry, Oregon grape, sword fern, and salal, the trail arrives at a splendid view of
Trail Stats
0.0 km
112 m
405 m
0 m
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Photos
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300px-MaplesRidgeLoopMap
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TKO put tools to trail here.png