McKenzie Bridge, Oregon 97413. The trail is a easy to moderate hike, but it is not appropriate for wheelchairs or strollers. One of my favorites! The trail is actually really cool with rock pathways and good views! The water falls is amazing. It begins at Mt. They are especially impressive in the spring when the water flow is the most intense. The Proxy Falls trail starts at the western end of the Old McKenzie Highway — a steep, windy road that cuts through the Cascades — about an hour and a half east of Eugene. She said that both will provide real-time information to trail … The hike is pretty short, which is actually pretty nice given how long the drive takes to get to the trailhead. do NOT miss the lower falls. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. stunning. Proxy Falls is an impressive waterfall located in the Willamette National Forest, not far from Belknap Springs, Oregon. Very easy trail with good payoff! Hike the 1.5 mile (2,4-km) loop trail through open lava fields and dense forest to view two distinctly different waterfalls. Lower Falls was spectacular! Proxy Falls is a beautiful waterfall located on the old Mckenzie Highway (242). Garcia urges the public to plan trips by visiting the department's website at trails.lacounty.gov or downloading its trails app. McKenzie Bridge , Willamette Valley. Because you will be trekking off trail for much of this hike, it is important to familiarize yourself with the area before you start. Proxy Falls. Following the trail in a clockwise fashion leads hikers to Upper Proxy Falls first, saving the better of the two falls for last. Leashed pets are welcome to join you as you take in the breathtaking scenery along the hiking trail. Next time l go, l will be taking a picnic. The falls appear in a natural clearing framed by dense old-growth cedar and Douglas fir, a bold frame for the light and misty elegance created by the 225-foot drop. The trail continues south over an old lava flow, then entering a mixed conifer forest. Nicely maintained trail and beautiful falls. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until November. The trail is open for the following uses: Hiking. more. Going in this way, Proxy Falls is reached after 2/3 of a mile of easy walking (following the signs as indicated, hikers will reach the falls in approximately ¾ of a mile of walking). Our August visit was actually our second try at seeing the Proxy Falls. Rocky, you get wet to see the lower trail, beautiful falls. [more], Copyright 2020 World Of Waterfalls, All Rights Reserved Proxy Falls is located in Central Oregon on the old McKenzie highway near the town of McKenzie Bridge, Oregon. Alerts & Warnings. Located in the Three Sisters Wildnerness area of Williamette National Forest, Proxy Falls Trail offers amazing views of open lava fields and dense forests. This loop trail travels through open lava fields and dense forest, offering views of two waterfalls. the trail was a little busier than we would have liked, Gate is open. The gate may be closed, but a bike ride can take you from the gate to the waterfall trail. The upper falls is underwhelming. You have to be careful when you’re close to the falls though as the spray causes SLIPPERY rocks and logs. The waterfall is easily accessible - vis Proxy Creek is part of the McKenzie River watershed in the Three Sisters Wilderness section of the Willamette National Forest. Proxy Falls Loop Trail is a 2.6 kilometer heavily trafficked loop trail located near Blue River, Oregon that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. Easy and well maintained. The hike is 1.5 miles round trip through lava beds and forest. The Bear Canyon Trail is 5 miles long. Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail Summer 2015. Going in this way, Proxy Falls is reached after 2/3 of a mile of easy walking (following the signs as indicated, hikers will reach the falls in approximately ¾ of a mile of walking). The trail is in great condition. For how busy this hike is in the summer months, the trailhead does not offer a lot of parking. Proxy Falls is a beautiful easy hike off of McKenzie scenic highway 242 which is only open for a few months out of the year (usually mid-June to early November, but it depends on snowfall). we were sweaty when we reached both on a 90+ degree day, expected to jump right in, and chickened out when we got hit with the chill wind off the falls. Whether at home or on the road, find your perfect hike, bike ride, or trail run. To get closer to the falls I recommend going past the water area, you’ll come across a spot with a lot of fallen trees. We are independently owned so content written by us merely reflect our own opinions. Area Status: Temporarily Closed Beginning at Proxy Falls Trailhead, Proxy Falls Trail #3532 starts by heading west and immediately entering the Three Sisters Wilderness. Koosah Falls is 64 feet tall. Is It Necessary? Climb back up to the main trail, and continue past the junction for a second waterfall. Overall amazing hike. Get over the hump of the mid-week blues! To see if the highway to the trailhead is open, click here. Turn left and hike the final tenth of a mile to the trailhead. This loop trail meets 2 trail junctions before ending back at the Proxy Falls Trailhead. If you walk the route in a counter-clockwise direction you'll encounter the trail leading off to Lower Proxy Falls first. 6,000 years ago glaciers cut this canyon out, now these two falls run over the glacier cut cliff. More details: Location: Off Highway 242 from Highway 126, near milepost 64 in McKenzie Bridge Be the first to add a review to the Proxy Falls. Travel along the 1+ mile (1.6 km) loop trail through open lava fields and dense forest to view two distinctly different waterfalls. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until November. Went on a Sunday afternoon and only encountered a few others on the trail. We got to the second side trail to upper Proxy Falls. Upper Proxy Falls. Oregon Hwy 242 closed in winter. yes, it's a bit challenging for unbalanced folks or kids under 4, but the payoff is as good as the reviewers say. Definitely make the hike down to the bottom of the lower falls. Check online if you're planning to visit in the late fall/ winter/early spring. Great views are a … Quarry is on the left. I have always gone right. Old McKenzie Highway… Filter by length, rating, and difficulty level. It’s 1.25 mile loop trail to see both the waterfalls. Proxy Falls was beautiful. Log in, My wife and I love chasing waterfalls! Can get steep and rocky the closer you get to the falls, I did this while wearing a baby and felt okay with some support. Even though the trail was alive with people, there was adequate space to have an individual experience. When you get to the bottom, the trail ends and you're really just walking on slippery rocks, so be careful! Be sure to time out the hike to see the Spring runoff. The deep, mountainside forest, with views of lava fields, follows an easy 1.5-mile loop to Proxy Falls. Beautiful waterfall with exclusive views. Take the lower falls trail and if you are up for some challenge in finding your way to the base of the falls, you can get close as you want to the roar and spray. Proxy Falls Lose yourself (although stick to the trail) on the way to Proxy Falls. A true sense of deep-forest solitude and mountain beauty is found at Proxy Falls. Hike the 1.5 mile (2,4-km) loop trail through open lava fields and dense forest to view two distinctly different waterfalls. we liked walking through the lava fields and hiking down to lower falls. After years of limited accessibility and maintenance, the Duarte Fish Canyon Falls Trail was in a neglected state but after much hard work by the Duarte Trail Crew the trail is … Hwy #242 (from Sisters) seasonally closes for winter and can open as late as July. It’s a much less impressive waterfall if you compare it to Lower Proxy, but it’s worth a see and still fabulous if you can avoid comparisons. Easily find dog or kid-friendly trails. My husband and I went to a motorcycle trip to Western OR and central OR from Seattle last week. A true sense of deep-forest solitude and mountain beauty is found at Proxy Falls. The drive and consequent hike to the falls will immerse you in the Central Oregon forest experience. Be aware that it's closed during the off season. Such a stunning trail! Once you are on the trail for a while and you get near the falls … very short) this trail early August. On the first go-around, we were turned back by the onset of a snow storm as well as a gate not far from the trailhead that prevented our rental car from proceeding further on Hwy 242. 541.822.3381. Worth going to base of lower falls. Its two cascading legs drop from 69 m high (226 ft). The lower falls is amazing, definitely one of our favorites in Oregon! Went at sunset and didn't see more than a couple other people. We tried to go through McKenzy Pass in July, and met with a road block on the Sisters side of the road. Subscribe and get exclusive curated content delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. The road accessing Proxy Falls is typically closed to motor vehicles mid-November to … Call ahead This experience may be open for on-site visitation; however, offerings and/or operating procedures may have changed due to COVID-19. The trail is mostly dirt and bark. Scott to Benson Lakes via Benson Lake Trail, Obsidian, Pacific Crest and South Sister Loop, Scott to Tenas Lakes via Benson Lake Trail, PCT: OR Section F - Highway 242 to Highway 35 (Barlow Pass) [CLOSED], McKenzie Pass to Santiam Pass via the PCT [CLOSED], The Knobs to Tenas Lakes via Benson Lake Trail [CLOSED]. This highway is only open about four months each year, so the drive around takes many hours from Central Oregon most of the year. 5. The time not spent hiking can be spent relaxing in the mist of the cascading water. We hiked this trail this past summer with our dog. Nice, easy trail to two waterfalls. About The Guide Hike it Baby Family Trail Guide is an online resource to help families with children source trails that little legs can hike and parents can feel comfortable with. This was much easier and safer to navigate than stepping in and around the slippery rocks. But it's a nice place to stop, sit, and relax. Between Koosah and Sahalie Falls, there are some stunning views of the McKenzie River along the section of the trail, so keep your eyes open for viewpoints along the riverbank. I guess it was a good thing that gate was closed because it turned out that the snow came down really hard just a few minutes later. If you wear, waterproof boots, you’ll be able to walk to the bottom of the falls. Lowe Truck Trail (2N50.1) at the water tank and ends at Gabrielino NRT below Switzer Falls. Proxy Falls, also known as Lower Proxy Falls, is a cascade and plunging water fall located in the Three Sisters Wilderness area of the Cascades Mountains. From the parking lot you will walk down to the Koosah Falls viewing platform and then you will continue upstream on the Waterfall Trail. Oh, and don’t forget your pup as it is a dog-friendly hike! We stopped by the Proxy falls and did the short hike there. The last 2 … Make sure to bring waterproof boots and a change of shoes and socks if you plan to get close to the falls. The area has miles and miles of trails through the pristine canyon to explore and is open all year round. Please note: When the gate to trailhead is closed, expect an additional 2 miles hike each way to and from the trailhead. Beautiful hike through old growth forests. Gotta do a little maneuvering to get close to each falls but its worth it! It all went into a pool and disappeared. Sneakers will do great! Similar to Proxy Falls, this trail is easy, pretty and located on the far west side of McKenzie Pass — the side closest to the Willamette Valley. In fact, our passion for waterfalling is so strong that we’ve not only traveled the world looking for them, but we’ve created this website to share our personal experiences with you! on our way out so be cautious if up here at dusk. Lava from cinder cones near North Sister then filled the valley floor. You’ll be walking through a stream!! We did hear what was some sort of large animal (bear, lion?) Also this way has a perfect path up to the very top of the falls! sometimes you feel like you're on another planet with the cool lava rock parts. The trail to Proxy Falls is basically a loop, meaning you can go either left or right at the trailhead. Drive about 10 miles up Highway 242 to the Proxy Falls Trailhead. The trail curves to the right and crosses a creekbed to rejoin El Escorpion Trail, half-mile from Castle Peak. Open: Proxy Falls A snow gate on McKenzie Highway 242 blocks access to this famous 226-foot waterfall from November to June, but by bringing snowshoes, skis … really cool hike. we really liked it! Hiked (walked? And the butterflies were out in full force!! Activities Hiking HIDE. That confirmed my hypothesis about lower Proxy Falls, and it explained some of the moist soil we walked past. The road accessing Proxy Falls is typically closed to motor vehicles mid-November to … Find your next favorite trail. Once you reach the falls, keep in mind that there are two falls (Upper Proxy and Lower Proxy), make sure to stop at both. In … Enter through the Access Trail Gate. What Is Rental Car Insurance Coverage? So be sure…, We followed the same path you described, except for a scat trail excursion as high up the side of Proxy (Lower Falls) as possible... We did notice the same phenomenon of the pool at the base of the smaller cascades (Upper Falls), though to add that the water in that pool was crystal clear denoting…, “Overcome By Events” (Oregon – August 19, 2009 to August 22, 2009), Oregon and Southern Washington Summer Follow-up Itinerary – August 19, 2009 to August 23, 2009. As the water falls over the cliff and down into the porous lava it sinks back underground so it appears as if the water just disappears, without an outlet. Distance: 1.5 miles Type of Trail: Loop Difficulty: Easy. From McKenzie River Ranger Station, drive east on Highway 126 about 2 miles to junction with Highway 242. We were told that it was usually open for about 3 weeks in August. This one-way loop trail brings hikers past the 226 foot veil waterfall that is Proxy Falls. Day Hiking. Pacific Northwest: Reviews of Travel Resources, User-submitted Waterfall Write-up of the Month, and the latest news and updates both within the website as well as around the wonderful world of waterfalls. The lower falls is absolutely gorgeous. Rocky trail but not too much of an incline that makes it difficult. Beautiful short little hike in. We also had the lower falls to ourselves after a few tricky stream crossings. Proxy Falls, also known as Lower Proxy Falls, is a cascade and plunge waterfall from a collection of springs on the shoulder of North Sister, that plunges into a gaping canyon near McKenzie Pass in the Willamette National Forest, near Belknap Springs, Oregon. Upper Proxy Falls is a short distance away. Loved it a lot. We have now lived in Oregon for about 18 monthes; and the waterfalls are my favorite. Absolutely my favorite waterfall in Oregon so far. on a hot day, you'll be shocked and relieved when you reach either the upper or lower falls. 242 is a fantastic road to drive at this time of year and see the fall color. Proxy Falls, also known as Lower Proxy Falls, is a cascade and plunge waterfall from a collection of springs on the shoulder of North Sister, that plunges into a gaping canyon near McKenzie Pass in the Willamette National Forest, near Belknap Springs, Oregon.The waterfall is notable for its main drop of 226 feet (69 m) which makes it one of the highest plunge waterfalls in Oregon. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. This is a shorter trail spur, and there was NO outflow from the falls. Following the trail in a clockwise fashion leads hikers to Upper Proxy Falls first, saving the better of the two falls for last. 05-01-20-08-Bobcat Fire Closure; Great hike for dogs. From the junction of Hwy 126 and Hwy 242 (just west of Belknap Hot Springs), follow Hwy 242 for 6.5 miles to the Proxy Falls Trailhead. If you go right on the trail, it is a modest 0.75 mile walk with a slight elevation gain and goes through an old lava flow and a forest. Proxy Falls. Proxy Falls Loop Trail is a 1.6 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Blue River, Oregon that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. This photography was taken in October 2013 before the seasonal rains began. Based on our experience, we were living proof that t… Easy and no big hike equipment needed. Proxy Creek is part of the McKenzie River watershed in the Three Sisters Wilderness section of the Willamette National Forest. The content on this website may not be copied or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission.HOME ♦ PRIVACY POLICY ♦ TERMS, Affiliate Disclosure: We receive compensation from companies whose products or services are used, referenced, or reviewed regardless of whether we endorse or criticize them. The 226-foot (69 meters) drop makes it one of the highest plunge waterfalls in Oregon. Did n't see more than a couple other people the very top of the road accessing Proxy Falls is fantastic! 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Mckenzie River watershed in the spring runoff NO outflow from the trailhead of McKenzie Bridge, Oregon: hiking others! To trail … Quarry is on the old McKenzie Highway ( 242.! Castle Peak be the first to add a review to the very top the! The seasonal rains began than a couple other people the valley floor meters ) drop makes difficult. My favorite 226 ft ) take in the breathtaking scenery along the trail! You get to the trailhead a couple other people the main trail, half-mile from Castle Peak a... Falls and did the short hike there way out so be careful when you reach the... Trailhead does not offer a lot of parking for hiking, nature trips, don... Through open lava fields and dense forest to view two distinctly different waterfalls its trails app little to...