North Falls facts for kids
Quick facts for kids North Falls |
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North Falls in the Spring
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| Location | Silver Falls State Park |
| Coordinates | 44°53′06″N 122°37′22″W / 44.88489°N 122.62267°W |
| Type | Plunge |
| Elevation | 1,416 ft (432 m) |
| Total height | 65 ft (20 m) |
| Average flow rate |
100 cu ft/s (2.8 m3/s) |
North Falls is a beautiful waterfall found in Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. It's near the city of Salem in Marion County. This special spot is where the Mount Hood National Forest meets the Middle Santiam Wilderness. Silver Falls State Park is famous for its "Trail of Ten Falls," which includes North Falls and other amazing waterfalls like Drake Falls and Lower South Falls.
Where to Find North Falls
North Falls is formed by the North Fork of Silver Creek. You can find it on the eastern side of the Silver Falls State Park Trail of Ten Falls. It's located along the North Falls Trail. This waterfall is about a quarter mile from Upper North Falls. It got its name because it's the main waterfall on the North Silver Creek.
What Makes North Falls Special
North Falls is the third tallest waterfall on the Trail of Ten Falls. It's also the only one in the park you can see from Highway 214. The water plunges straight down about 136 feet (41 m). It flows through a narrow crack in the basalt rock. The water then splashes onto a slanted rock below, creating a misty pool.
Exploring the North Falls Trail
The Silver Falls area has many popular hiking trails. The North Falls trail is about a quarter mile long. It has a moderate climb with around 80 stairs. These stairs lead you behind North Falls through a large cutout in the rock.
The trail continues west, following North Creek. It passes several other waterfalls like Twin Falls, Middle North Falls, Drake Falls, and Lower North Falls. If you go the other way from the North Falls trailhead, you'll find a short, flat path to Upper North Falls.
Walking behind North Falls is a unique experience. You'll be in a huge undercut cliff that goes back over 100 feet from the waterfall. The ceiling above the trail can be anywhere from 20 to 75 feet high. Because of this large rock space, the sound of the waterfall is much louder!
