|
DIAMOND CREEK FALLS/SALT CREEK FALLS
|
|
We happened upon Diamond Creek Falls one day when we were exploring Odell Lake and asked at the lodge about local trails. The attendant sent us up the road to the Salt Creek Falls parking area with a trail that led to Diamond Creek Falls. |
|
There is an informational display near the parking area and a paved path to an overlook at the top of Salt Creek Falls. |
|
|
Salt Creek Falls, at 280 feet, is the second tallest waterfall in Oregon. |
|
From the overlook, you can take a ¼-mile path to a lower viewpoint of Salt Creek Falls. |
|
|
|
Just beyond the parking area and to the left is a picnic area overlooking Salt Creek. |
| Diamond Creek Falls is 1.75 miles from the parking area. The trail is a forested path that climbs above Salt Creek Canyon and then dips back down. There are 2-3 viewpoints along the trail, and then watch for a small sign pointing right that reads: Lower Diamond Creek Falls.
|
|
|
|
|
We could hear the roar of Diamond Creek Falls before we saw it. We crossed the creek ... |
|
|
|
|
... and rounded a bend that followed the far side of the creek ... |
|
|
|
... and there, spread out in front of us, was the falls as it cascaded over 100 feet of solid rock. You can clamber out on large boulders in the creek and shoot photos to your heart's content. |
Elevation: Approximate 200-foot drop to the lower view of Salt Creek Falls; the trail that takes you to Diamond Creek Falls has a 400-foot elevation gain before it drops back down into the canyon that takes you to the foot of the waterfall. Trail distance: 3.5 miles round trip to Diamond Creek Falls; 1/2 mile round trip to the lower view of Salt Creek Falls. Rated: Easy to moderate (a lot of up and downhill). Latitude: 43.61194 Longitude: 122.12722 Directions: From Bend, take either Hwy 97 or the scenic Cascade Lakes Hwy to Hwy 58. Turn west on Hwy 58. When you near milepost 57, watch for the sign to Salt Creek Falls. Turn left and follow the paved entrance road to the parking area. Fees: Free |
