Wayfinder Farm and Retreat
Our favorite local hike!
Hike along a beautiful creek and experience 3 different waterfalls. If you make it to the top (or park at the top and walk 5 minutes to the top waterfall) you will find what we call "Ewok Village" a series of wooden steps, platforms and bridges over the water. It's a fairly steep 45 minute walk to the top from the lower parking area. The trail is really muddy and slippery when it rains, so it's best to attempt this in the dry season. Drive past the lower parking area and trailhead to your next left turn. Park in that lot and the uppermost waterfall is only a few minutes walk. This option is great year round and the waterfall is really spectacular after a rain!
23 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-McDowell Creek Falls County Park
43170 McDowell Creek DrHike along a beautiful creek and experience 3 different waterfalls. If you make it to the top (or park at the top and walk 5 minutes to the top waterfall) you will find what we call "Ewok Village" a series of wooden steps, platforms and bridges over the water. It's a fairly steep 45 minute walk to the top from the lower parking area. The trail is really muddy and slippery when it rains, so it's best to attempt this in the dry season. Drive past the lower parking area and trailhead to your next left turn. Park in that lot and the uppermost waterfall is only a few minutes walk. This option is great year round and the waterfall is really spectacular after a rain!
If you love waterfalls this park is for you! You can even walk behind one. It' only an hour drive away. You can spend the whole day exploring all the trails, creeks and waterfalls.
Here is some more detailed info: About the Hike: The popular trail through Silver Falls State Park's forested canyons visits 10 spectacular waterfalls, five more than 100 feet high. The path even leads through mossy caverns behind the falls' shimmering silver curtains.This loop is suitable for families with beginning hikers because side trails provide shortcuts back to the car. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Difficulty: The full loop to see all 10 waterfalls (from South Falls to North Falls) is a moderate hike of 6.9 miles, gaining 700 feet of elevation, but the recommended shortcut (omitting Twin and North Falls) trims the loop to 5.1 miles.
For a shorter, 2.8-mile loop, turn back after Lower South Falls. For an even shorter 0.7-mile tour, simply loop to the bridge at the base of South Falls.
Season: Open all year. The park is usually snow-free even in mid-winter, but the falls are still quite full and the wildflowers are at their best from late March to May.
Getting There: From Interstate 5 exit 253 in Salem, drive 10 miles east on North Santiam Highway 22, turn left at a sign for Silver Falls Park, and follow Highway 214 for 16 miles to the park entrance sign at South Falls.
https://www.oregon.com/recreation/hike-silver-falls-state-park
293 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Iparke yaseState yeSilver Falls
20024 Silver Falls Highway SoutheastIf you love waterfalls this park is for you! You can even walk behind one. It' only an hour drive away. You can spend the whole day exploring all the trails, creeks and waterfalls.
Here is some more detailed info: About the Hike: The popular trail through Silver Falls State Park's forested canyons visits 10 spectacular waterfalls, five more than 100 feet high. The path even leads through mossy caverns behind the falls' shimmering silver curtains.This loop is suitable for families with beginning hikers because side trails provide shortcuts back to the car. Dogs are not allowed on the trail.
Difficulty: The full loop to see all 10 waterfalls (from South Falls to North Falls) is a moderate hike of 6.9 miles, gaining 700 feet of elevation, but the recommended shortcut (omitting Twin and North Falls) trims the loop to 5.1 miles.
For a shorter, 2.8-mile loop, turn back after Lower South Falls. For an even shorter 0.7-mile tour, simply loop to the bridge at the base of South Falls.
Season: Open all year. The park is usually snow-free even in mid-winter, but the falls are still quite full and the wildflowers are at their best from late March to May.
Getting There: From Interstate 5 exit 253 in Salem, drive 10 miles east on North Santiam Highway 22, turn left at a sign for Silver Falls Park, and follow Highway 214 for 16 miles to the park entrance sign at South Falls.
https://www.oregon.com/recreation/hike-silver-falls-state-park
Food scene
Friendly, family-owned sit down Mexican restaurant. The have great drink specials and really good chips and salsa.
Casa de Reyes
2434 Main StreetFriendly, family-owned sit down Mexican restaurant. The have great drink specials and really good chips and salsa.
The Point is located right across from Foster Lake and has a big menu. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are great daily specials, but make sure to check out the Bloody Mary Meals!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Point Restaurant
6305 Main StThe Point is located right across from Foster Lake and has a big menu. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are great daily specials, but make sure to check out the Bloody Mary Meals!
Choose carhop service or sit inside and use the phone at the table to place your order, so old-timey cool! They make their own root beer too!
A&W
1010 Main StreetChoose carhop service or sit inside and use the phone at the table to place your order, so old-timey cool! They make their own root beer too!
It's now called Serrano's, not Los Faroles. Great family owned local drive thru for awesome mexican food!
Los Faroles Taqueria
1502 Long StIt's now called Serrano's, not Los Faroles. Great family owned local drive thru for awesome mexican food!
1847 Bar & Grill
505 Mullins DrUpscale restaurant only 10 minutes from us!
Watersports and fishing
Foster Lake is just a short drive from our place. There is a nice walking trail along the edge and lookout spots to park. Kayak, boat, fish, swim and more on this beautiful, tree lined lake.
15 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Foster Lake
Foster Lake is just a short drive from our place. There is a nice walking trail along the edge and lookout spots to park. Kayak, boat, fish, swim and more on this beautiful, tree lined lake.
The South Fork of the Santiam River is a pristine waterway. In the summer picnic on our small riverside beach or launch your kayak or tube and go on an adventure. Drive up to Pleasant Valley Rd in Sweet Home drop in the river at the launch site. It's about a 1.5 trip downriver to our place by kayak or a 3-4 hour float in a tube. There are a few, fun, small rapids along the way that keep it interesting. The river is full of trout, steelhead and coho salmon and fishing is allowed when in season with a valid fishing license. Mink, beavers, river otters, osprey, bald eagles, deer, ducks and Canada geese are frequently seen along the way.
Santiam River
The South Fork of the Santiam River is a pristine waterway. In the summer picnic on our small riverside beach or launch your kayak or tube and go on an adventure. Drive up to Pleasant Valley Rd in Sweet Home drop in the river at the launch site. It's about a 1.5 trip downriver to our place by kayak or a 3-4 hour float in a tube. There are a few, fun, small rapids along the way that keep it interesting. The river is full of trout, steelhead and coho salmon and fishing is allowed when in season with a valid fishing license. Mink, beavers, river otters, osprey, bald eagles, deer, ducks and Canada geese are frequently seen along the way.