Upper Silver and Golden Falls Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Waterfall

The falls generally flow all year but are at their most energetic in late winter and early spring. Silver Falls can disappear during the summer, particularly in dry years. The steep, unprotected cliff near the end of the trail may be unsafe for unattended small children.

From the parking area, cross the creek as through you were going to the Lower Golden Falls Trail but take the left fork in the trail at the base of a large tree. This is the start of a longer trail that climbs gently uphill to the top of Golden Falls. About 0.3 miles up this trail, there is a side trail to the east side of the base of Silver Falls (here, again, watch your footing on any wet, slippery rocks at the base of the falls). From this junction, the main trail continues uphill beneath towering moss-covered boulders and sheer cliff faces to views of the top of Golden Falls. The last few hundred feet of this trail is along a long-abandoned road that was blasted out of the cliffs, leaving a 200-foot drop on one side. Be very careful if you're tempted to look over the edge.

The Lower Silver Falls Trail and this trail from the side trail junction to the top of Golden Falls and beyond, was originally a freight road built by a group of homesteaders in 1901. A now long gone wooden bridge built beneath Silver Falls connected these two pieces of the road, which remained in operation until 1958.