When I accepted my first travel contract in Klamath Falls, I turned to google for all things Klamath. This picturesque waterfall, Multnomah Falls, kept popping up in my searches, and I couldn’t wait to see it. ‘Klamath Falls must be breathtakingly beautiful!’ I thought. I was a bit broken-hearted when I got to Klamath and learned that that particular waterfall was actually a five-hour drive away, near Portland. To make matters worse, there weren’t really ANY waterfalls in K-Falls, aside from a small cascade along the Link River (it is marked “Falls,” however.) Well, 8 ½ months later, I finally made the trip to Portland and got to witness Multnomah Falls in all its glory. I can confidently say that the experience more than lived up to my expectations.
I have two friends in the Portland area, John and Katie, who had been to Multnomah before but were equally excited about exploring the waterfall. To make the most of the day, I set off early in the morning to give myself plenty of time for a scenic drive with a few stops before rendezvousing with them. Seeking travel advice, I had consulted with my coworkers, and one of their recommendations led me to the enticing route known as the Fruit Loop. The Fruit Loop is in Oregon’s Hood River Valley, and it is a scenic 35-mile driving route that offers a captivating journey through lush orchards, vineyards, and picturesque countryside, all framed by the stunning backdrop of Mt. Hood, Along the way, the loop provides opportunities to pick your own
apples, pears, cherries, and other seasonal delights from local orchards. You can also explore wineries and cideries and experience the soothing fragrances of lavender farms. As I made my way through the Fruit Loop, I quickly realized that there was way too much for me to be able to take it all in, so I had to make some choices. I visited a few farms, stopped at a winery, bought some apples that were pink on the inside, and picked a bunch of lavender.
As I got closer to Multnomah, I was pleasantly surprised to find several other waterfalls along the way. Upon reaching Multnomah, I met up with John and Katie under a light drizzle that did little to diminish the falls’ beauty. To my surprise, Multnomah Falls was not as crowded as one might expect on this particular day, allowing me to capture a photograph devoid of any other visitors. According to John and Katie, such moments of solitude are a rarity. We then hiked up to the Benson foot bridge, took a few more pics, and ascended a little higher but not all the way to the falls’ summit. Following that delightful little waterfall excursion, we headed into Portland for a relaxing evening of drinks and dinner.
I left John and Katie in Portland that night and headed to Silverton. Silverton, Oregon is this little town that’s tucked away in the Williamette Valley. Surrounded by rolling hills and endless farms, you can’t help but wonder how such a place exists. It’s seriously cute, and in the middle of nowhere…just the way I like it. I stayed at the Oregon Garden Resort. In my opinion, this
hotel is way underpriced, but I’m not complaining. You step onto the property and you’re hit with this explosion of colors and scents from all these amazing gardens. The resort itself has a cozy, rustic vibe, like a mountain lodge. The rooms? Oh man, they’re comfy, and mine even had a fireplace! I didn’t get to see much of the town since it was dark when I arrived and I had to take off on the early side, but it definitely caught my attention, and I hope to go back. The Silverton Christmas Market, featuring a display of over a million lights, gift vendors, a Biergarten, a fire pit, and a snowless tubing hill has been added to my bucket list.
The next morning, I began my trek home by stopping at Silver Falls State Park for some more waterfall action. Silver Falls State Park is like stepping into a nature lover’s dream. Picture this: 10 glistening waterfalls, lush forests, and more than 24 miles of hiking trails. Seriously, it’s a hiker’s paradise. The main attraction is the Trail of Ten Falls. This is an epic loop that takes you right up close and personal with those stunning waterfalls and allows you to actually walk behind four of them. South Falls is the big kahuna, plummeting 177 feet, and you can walk behind it. Talk about a natural spectacle! Walking this trail felt like I was in an enchanted forest straight out of a fairy tale.
After a much longer hike than I had planned – 7.2 miles – , I hit the road again and stopped at one more waterfall on my way home: Salt Creek Falls. Salt Creek Falls is a beast of a waterfall, standing at a towering 286 feet. It’s not just any waterfall; it’s the second tallest in all of Oregon, behind Multnomah Falls at 620 feet (upper falls 542 feet, lower falls 69 feet.). When you first lay eyes on it, it’s like nature showing off its raw power. Now, normally I appreciate a good hike to reach a beautiful waterfall, but given the trail I’d done earlier, I was pleasantly surprised to find that I did not have to hike for miles to see this majestic beauty. I literally rolled up, parked my car, and BAM – there it was. There is a short and sweet trail that leads you to a closer view of the falls, and it’s worth taking. The mist and roar of the water gets you feeling the full force of nature’s grandeur. This waterfall is apparently a year-round showstopper. I was there towards the beginning of winter, just as it was beginning to transform into a frozen wonderland.
When I finally stepped back into my own space, my heart was full and refreshed. Those two days, reconnecting with friends and immersing myself in nature, more than made up for my lack of waterfall adventuring during my time in Klamath. It was a much-need reset, a chance to explore the wonders of this beautiful state, and a reminder of the joy found in the simple pleasures of life.
