Winter Hiking: Salt Creek Falls – Diamond Creek Falls Loop

Salt Creek Falls

Distance: About 3.5 miles

Directions: From Oakridge, head east for about 20 miles. Turn right at the sign for Salt Creek Falls.

As temperatures plummet, 286-foot Salt Creek Falls plunges over a solid cliff of ice. For those

capable of braving slick roads and potentially foul conditions, a few miles of easy snow hiking delivers a pretty sweet return.

From wherever you can find a place to ditch your rig, start slogging through the snow towards the main parking lot, gated and buried in white. On the southeastern side of the parking lot, you’ll find the path. Follow it to the right, and soon waterfall views abound below you.

My brother creeping down the slide

If you continue to follow the path up several small, probably slippery, stairs, you’ll find the path that switchbacks down  to the waterfall base. Towards the bottom of the trail, a landslide tore through, rending path and guard fence to rubble. In the winter, it may be a bit sketchy heading on from there.

Regardless whether or not you choose to slide down to the falls’ base, the adventure continues by heading back up the way you just came down. Once back at the parking lot, follow the other fork of the trail that heads up the creek. After crossing a bridge, you’ll come to a fork – one going to Vivian Lake, the other to Diamond Creek Falls. Both go the same place.

For now, take the right fork towards Diamond Creek Falls. Enjoy a few views, including a waterfall concealed in the trees, before forking to the right and heading down a steep embankment (not recommended in moody weather), crossing a slightly dicey bridge, and continuing on slightly further to the base of Diamond Creek Falls.

Retrace your steps back to the main trail, then follow it up to a view from the top of the falls.

Diamond Creek Falls

Follow the trail until it forks. Take the left fork to a logging road. Heading straight will bring you to the road as well, but the left fork takes you to exactly where it crosses to the other side. Follow the trail on the other side down some mild switchbacks, cross another road, and take the trail back to the first fork and the bridge leading back to the parking lot.

For more Western Cascade adventures, check out my Cascade Foothills page.