Hike Coordinator: Missy Kroeker
Narration by Missy Kroeker
Seven hikers, with one new face, Scott from Roseburg, caravanned to our trailhead at Lund Park campground. It was a glorious warm summer day, perfect for a hike along a crystalline creek to two separate waterfalls. There are several ways to navigate this loop trail. Today the hike leader (Missy) wanted to visit lower Trestle Creek Falls first then proceed to the Upper falls loop. With this in mind, each hiker was given a “map” with these directions.
The group enjoyed the fairly level, fern lined trail along Brice Creek toward Trestle Creek until we came to the Upper Trestle Creek falls trail. Thinking this was the trail to the Lower falls (despite the trail sign to the contrary and the “map” which the hike coordinator had drawn) the group was led uphill toward Upper Trestle Creek falls. Oh, for inexperienced hike coordinators?! Once the mistake was realized, the hikers were led the short distance back to the “right” path.
Everyone continued along Brice Creek amidst the beauty of the dappled sunlight and ferns to the short little spur trail to Lower Trestle Creek falls. The temperature was rising and the cool respite and beauty of the falls was very much welcome. Once water was drunk, photos were taken, snacks gobbled and a boot put back on, the hikers were ready to continue.
There is a bit of a sustained uphill segment to Upper Trestle Creek falls. We must earn our “views of nature’s beauty”, right? We huffed and sweated up this segment of trail to the truly lovely Upper Trestle Creek Falls. We were rewarded with the falls cascading peacefully over the cliff into a clear pool at the bottom. This was our lunch spot. Part of the drama of this place is the trail passing behind the falls before it meanders downhill back to the Brice Creek trail.
Trestle Creek Falls hike is what I would call the quintessential Oregon hike. Old growth timber, moss covered trees and rocks, ferns, crystalline creeks with deep blue green pools and waterfalls. What’s not to love, especially when shared with a group of enthusiastic hiking friends.
Pictures below by Missy Kroeker
