the Drift Creek Falls Trail - one might work up enough heat and the gumption to jump into the cold clear water of Drift Creek. Autumn is a colorful season to visit the falls, as much for the smattering of flush deciduous trees as for the plethora of fungi - a delight in their myriad forms. The main Falls trail is wide, averaging three feet across, and well groomed; it was once designated handicap accessible (but be forewarned that it has washed out in one spot and if not just dangerous, would be a chore to traverse in its entirety, except by the strongest of wheelers). Note also that there are several stairs to the forest floor on the opposite end of the bridge. The trail drops gently more than 340 feet from the trailhead to the suspension bridge over the falls. Here and there a felled giant is a reminder of the former grandeur of mature coastal forests. Most of the larger trees lining the trail are nearing 50 years old. Three notable stands of mature trees can be observed on the Drift Creek Falls Trail. The first and second are just before and after the suspension bridge. The other is located on the northeastern corner of the North Loop. The loop trail is not evenly graded like the main trail and is fairly rugged. It is a short addition, but pretty and less traveled. Intermittent smaller wooden bridges cleverly complete the main trail and north loop; rivulets tumble gently beneath except when swollen with rain or the run-off from a few perennial snow showers. As the path winds less than a mile and a half down through rugged ravines, it eventually abuts an unnamed stream, which becomes the falls that tumbles 75 feet into a pool of Drift Creek.
The Drift Creek Bridge
An awesome suspension bridge spans 240 feet over Drift Creek Canyon, 100 feet above Drift Creek. Three feet wide and sturdy, though flexible to sway, some find the journey across the bridge unnerving. However most delight at the opportunity to step out over the forest canopy and gain a perfect view of the falls. The bridge is breathtaking and accentuates the environment tastefully, exhibiting thought for form and function. Drift Creek Bridge is dedicated to the late Scott Paul, a trail-builder with
the U.S. Forest Service at Mt. Baker in the Snoqualmie National Forest, Wash. Scott’s friend Caroll Vogel described him as one who “was sustained by wild places and a love for the paths that made them accessible. He was a poet, a student of history, and a teacher of traditional work skills.� Paul was the Forest Service Construction Foreman at Drift Creek Bridge and lost his life on the project in a tragic rigging accident, the trail was completed in his honor by his friends. Drift Creek Bridge was completed in 1997 and dedicated in 1998. It is unusual for light pedestrian suspension bridges in that it incorporates a quasi-stiffening truss in the deck. The bridge is anchored in rock via 10-foot rock bolts on one side of the gorge and 28 cy concrete deadmen are used on the other. Materials, including concrete, were mobilized to the sight via helicopter. The towers are 29 feet tall and penta-treated Douglas-fir glulams. The mainlines are one-and-a-quarter-inch galvanized 6 by 19 wire rope. The present trail is contemporaneous with the bridge though game trails preceded them. The north loop is a more recent addition. Beyond the bridge a path cuts across the canyon side and back to the base of the falls. Beware that this is the steepest part of the trail and in wet weather it can be slick. From the edge of Drift Creek the falls can be seen clearly careening over the broad rock face and eventually free falling to the pool below. There is a rustic picnic table at the base of the falls and another that side of the bridge. There is also a bench barely a quarter mile from the trailhead. Plans for further trail development around the falls have been entertained though there is no such work in progress. Drift Creek Falls trail is open year round from dawn until dusk. Dogs are welcome though they must be leashed. The one-and-a-half-mile hike to the edge of Drift Creek, well below the bridge and falls, will take most people less than an hour, though more time should be planned for the hike up and out or if using the north loop. A vault toilet is located at the trailhead. Drift Creek Falls trailhead is a U.S. Forest Service fee site. A day pass may be purchased at the trailhead for $5 per vehicle. Be sure to have exact change or plan to pay by check. Also, the following passes are honored: the Northwest Forest Pass, Oregon Pacific Coast Passport, Golden Passports,
www.oregoncoastpassport.com 17