Visit BringFido for an overview of the trail, along with pictures, directions, and reviews from dog owners who’ve been there. Water seeps through the porous lava, leaving Linton Lake with no visible outlet. 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. The trail could be rough for some people but an average person should be able to get. Is this a must-do if you are traveling with a, Is this a romantic place or activity that you would suggest for, Is this a place or activity you would suggest for, Are the prices for this place or activity, Is this a place or activity you would go to on a, An interesting trail to 2 wonderfully beautiful waterfalls. They are especially impressive in the spring when the water flow is the most intense. A very beautiful area. Amenities: vault toilet at trailhead Distance from Eugene: 58 miles Directions: From McKenzie Bridge, OR, travel east on Highway 126 to Highway 242.Travel east on Highway 242 for 9 miles to Proxy Falls Trailhead. It’s about more than standing on the mountain top. It says it is only 1 1/4 mile trail but after you are sure you have gone more than that, you all of a sudden find a waterfall. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Your team will earn points and be guided farther along the route with every riddle. The lower falls is absolutely gorgeous. Easy loop. trail. The trail is well-maintained and suitable for hikers of almost any level. Soon you will find another trail leading to the right toward Upper Proxy Falls. Proxy Falls. Please choose a different date. The hike to the falls is relatively easy. Located in the Three Sisters Wildnerness area of Williamette National Forest, Proxy Falls Trail offers amazing views of open lava fields and dense forests. Hotels near McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Sisters, Sahalie and Koosah Falls: Tickets & Tours‎, McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass loop: Tickets & Tours‎, Cascade Street Distillery: Tickets & Tours‎, Village Green City Park: Tickets & Tours‎. Only from lower falls' viewpoint to the falls is moderate and other parts are all easy. Just fins the gravel pit, park there and walk across the road until you see the trail down. Following the trail in a clockwise fashion leads hikers to Upper Proxy Falls first, saving the better of the two falls for last. An interesting trail to 2 wonderfully beautiful waterfalls. The hike itself is a short loop that winds through lava fields and into dense forests where mosses and lichen thrive. Well worth it if you are able to. But it's a nice place to stop, sit, and relax. 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). Impressive lower falls, hard to take a good photo of upper falls (at noon). Huge amounts of water. Sign up to receive our weekly newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. The Upper Proxy Falls actually stem from an unnamed creek and only gain their name from their proximity to their more impressive neighbor. Both upper and lower Proxy Falls are very impressive. The hike itself is a short loop that winds through lava fields and into dense forests where mosses and lichen thrive. The upper falls is underwhelming. The waterfall is easily accessible - vis So glad we did! Hike the 1.5 mile (2,4-km) loop trail through open lava fields and dense forest to view two distinctly different waterfalls. Explore the history and hot spots of your location by solving scavenger hunt and trivia style riddles on this engaging walking tour. Can be a bit confusing finding the start of the trail to the viewing platform as the sign is small and not visible from the road. Proxy Falls Trail is a popular dog friendly hike in Sisters. You can go done a small trail to get to the creek below as well as another trail to get close to the top. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the date(s) you selected. This loop trail meets 2 trail junctions before … You can get a great picture from the bridge. 2 for 1. There is a day use fee area which will set you back $5 per vehicle. We started off by taking the signed trailhead and hiking in the recommended counterclockwise direction. The road accessing Proxy Falls is typically closed to motor vehicles mid-November to mid-June. From the junction of Highways 126 (McKenzie River Byway) and 242 (McKenzie Pass Highway), follow Highway 242 east for 6 ½ miles to the well signed Proxy Falls trailhead. Proxy Falls is a gorgeous 226 foot veil waterfall that cascades down a wall of mossy columnar basalt.Accessed by a short half mile to mile hike directly off McKenzie Highway 242, Proxy Falls is easily one of the most photogenic waterfalls in Oregon. Proxy doesn't require much moxy This hike through lava field rocks and woods offers a great variety of scenery, with a huge payoff once hikers reach the gorgeous falls. Since then, blocky basalt lava flows from cinder cones near North Sister have flooded the canyon floor, damming Linton Lake. This easy loop trail of 1.25 miles is great for the kids. The first 0.5 miles of the trail is a little rocky due to the lava flow, but it soon levels off as you start to head into the forest. You will re-enter the lava field portion of the loop before descending back to the trailhead parking area. Tumalo Falls is the tallest and most beautiful waterfall on Tumalo Creek near Bend, Oregon, but it isn’t the creek’s only waterfall. If you like seeing water tumble, go beyond the half-mile round trip hike to Tumalo Falls and explore a grander 7.4 miles loop that visits half dozen other named waterfalls and perhaps a dozen more unnamed smaller waterfalls and cascades. Some climbing and scrambling at lower falls to keep your feet dry. The hike is more of a walk and is just a 1.5 mile loop with 200 feet in elevation gain. Proxy Falls is an impressive waterfall located in the Willamette National Forest, not far from Belknap Springs, Oregon. One reason this trail is our favorite is the diverse terrain. Likewise, the splash pool beneath Upper Proxy Falls never overflows. Crowds at lower falls. It seemed the Forest Service wanted us to hike the loop in a counterclockwise direction because only the trail entrance to our left (facing the trailhead) was not signposted. If your feet can get wet, it's an easy trip to the bottom of lower falls. Upon finding a great viewpoint for the falls you will find yourself awestruck when you see the entire length of the two cascading fall legs. At points there are ropes that have been placed to help with your descent. See all photos from Maria C. for Proxy Falls The hike to Proxy Falls is a modest 0.75 mile walk from the parking lot/trailhead, with a slight elevation gain. A true sense of deep-forest solitude and mountain beauty is found at Proxy Falls. While there's nothing overly strenuous,… 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. These falls are beautiful in their own right, however, and you can get an up-close perspective at their base. A good tip is to follow the trail in the opposite direction it suggests, so basically in a clockwise fashion, so that you hit Upper Proxy Falls first, and then the Lower falls vantage point last. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. The hike then goes through an old lava flow and then a mixed conifer forest. To see if the highway to the trailhead is open, click here. At 200 ft tall its hard to find a really good photo of the entire waterfall. The trail is also said to be dog-friendly, and visitors are welcome to bring their furry little friends. Turn right on Hwy 242 (open seasonally) & … It’s about protecting what sustains us. This is one of those unique waterfalls that you can get right into. If you walk the route in a counter-clockwise direction you'll encounter the trail leading off to Lower Proxy Falls first. We only became aware of it after having finished the loop and ended up at that unsigned trailhead. It loops around while having 2 short paths off the main loop around, to go to the separate falls which there are signs to guide you to them. The Proxy Falls trail head is on Oregon Scenic HWY 242 … The hike to Upper and Lower Proxy Falls is a family-friendly hike on the well-defined dirt and lava-rock trail among old growth forest. It’s about nourishment and learning. When you get to the bottom, the trail ends and you're really just walking on slippery rocks, so be careful! Located 31 miles west-northwest of Bend Oregon. Follow the trail down to the right for a more intimate view of the falls, and if you're a photographer, bring plenty of lens cloths for your camera. It's a less than a mile hike, and absolutely worth the detour! We believe good things come from people spending time outside. 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. Once you’ve dried yourself, head back to the main loop and continue in the counter-clockwise direction. 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. For how busy this hike is in the summer months, the trailhead does not offer a lot of parking. You get to walk though a lava rock field which was unique. You'll find another steep trail that goes down to the base of the falls. If you're adventurous, continue walking down the road past the official trail. 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. Note: Highway 242 is not maintained in the winter. - … 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 to the falls is set up as a loop, and we suggest hiking in the opposite direction from what the signs state. We climbed down to the bottom of the lower falls and found it rather interesting getting back to the main trail. The two waterfalls on this easy hike off … Lush forest, lava flows and two spectacular but differing waterfalls highlight this short … It is a very easy. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. It’s worth the drive from wherever you are, as it’s one of the best waterfall hikes in Oregon. Proxy Falls was beautiful. The trail to the falls is a loop and if you start at the entrance sign and go to the right the trail goes over lava rock and is longer. All rights reserved. We answered by hauling 6 kids up to the Old Mckenzie Highway and parking under the old Douglas Firs lining the road. Beginning at Proxy Falls Trailhead, Proxy Falls Trail #3532 starts by heading west and immediately entering the Three Sisters Wilderness. Monte Bello Open Space Preserve, California. Proxy Creek is part of the McKenzie River watershed in the Three Sisters Wilderness section of the Willamette National Forest. Definitely have to do some climbing over and under logs, rocks, etc. Proxy Falls. The falls are stunning with water flowing over mossy rocks. Proxy Falls is a 1 mile hike. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. This short hike may not justify a long drive from Eugene or Bend, but if you are in the area exploring many of the other adventures on the McKenzie River, you will certainly want to make time for it. It goes through a gorgeous forest with huge redwoods and lava fields. It says it is only 1 1/4 mile trail but after you are sure you have gone more than that, you all of a sudden find a waterfall. The hike to the falls is about a mile round trip. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until November. The Best Winter Adventures in North America. The more difficult part of the hike is once you get to Proxy Falls where you have to hike down a steep incline to the base of the falls. Be careful when you get close to the falls when you're climbing over slippery rocks and logs. Hike the 1.5 mile (2,4-km) loop trail through open lava fields and dense forest to view two distinctly different waterfalls. So, we decide Proxy Falls is an excellent fall hike - Nugget News Upper and Lower Proxy Falls spill over these glacier-cut cliffs. Proxy Falls in Winter, a year in the making… Back in late 2010 I had the idea to hike into Proxy Falls in Oregon’s Three Sisters Wilderness, to visit this amazing display of falling water in its winter glory. From Black Butte Ranch: head east to Sisters. Two beautiful waterfalls. Its two cascading legs drop from 69 m high (226 ft). Soon thereafter, we left the forest cover of tall pine trees as i… We climbed down to the bottom of the lower falls and found it rather interesting getting back to the main trail. Very easy hike, shouldn't take more than an hour for the whole thing depending on how many pictures you take along the way. They are absolutely beautiful! The hike is do-able for the moderately fit, and even young children and fit seniors can manage it. in order to access the base of each set of falls. The road to the Proxy Falls trail is closed during the winter, but you can hike in from the gate (additional 2 miles each way).. Fees: A Northwest Forest Pass ($5) is required. Proxy Falls is one of the most photographed spots in Oregon, so don’t forget the camera. The Proxy Falls Trail starts by heading west, taking you into the Three Sisters Wilderness, continuing over an old lava flow, starting at the southwest end of the parking lot. Take your time and watch your foot placement but it's well worth it as from the viewing platform not much of the falls can be seen. This is one of the most amazing waterfalls in Oregon. Proxy Falls veils over 226 feet over 2 streams. September and June are the best months to enjoy this hike. If you walk the route in a counter-clockwise direction you'll encounter the trail leading off to Lower Proxy Falls first. Proxy Falls, Sisters: See 80 reviews, articles, and 71 photos of Proxy Falls, ranked No.5 on Tripadvisor among 23 attractions in Sisters. more, Recommended experiences in and around Sisters. The trail continues south over an old lava flow, then entering a mixed conifer forest. Proxy Creek is part of the McKenzie River watershed in the Three Sisters Wilderness section of the Willamette National Forest. As we wait to see if the predicted La Niña actually comes to pass, I feel like the mountains are crying “Last Call” for hiking. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Just follow the trail, which is conveniently a loop. Proxy Falls is absolutely dazzling, even more so in the spring. At the roundabout take the first exit onto McKinney Butte Rd. Take a hike on Proxy Falls Trail during summer or autumn, and there's a good chance you'll have company. The trail could be rough for some people but an average person should be able to get within sight of the falls. At 130 feet, Upper Proxy Falls splits into two streams that slide down the steep basalt face before converging into a mess of downed trees and tumbling into a pool at the base. The size is unbelievable – especially when you’re standing right underneath it, which I would recommend anyone to do (just be prepared for a misty shower) If you want to take a photo on the log which is right in front of the falls, need to be really careful. This easy hike is an easy loop totaling about 1.5 miles (2.4140 km), and while beautiful all seasons Proxy Falls is especially beautiful during the fall season. Short tricky loop hike. You will have to hop over and around Proxy Creek as you make your way up to the base of the falls, where from afar what appears a gentle cascade turns into an overwhelming shower. Lava field. Play from the convenience of your smartphone whenever you’re ready for an adventure! within sight of the falls. Proxy Falls is one of our very favorite hikes and it called to us. We purposely took the scenic route from Redmond to Newport to stop and hike to these falls. The walk to the falls (on Trail 3532) was actually a loop hike of about two miles. To return, simply continue on the main trail in the counter-clockwise direction. © 2020 Outdoor Project. The face of the falls is narrow at the top and fans out into several streams that almost dissipate into the air. It’s about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Right now they are asking that everyone goes in the same direction. Travel ideas, news, and relax the convenience of your location by solving scavenger hunt trivia! 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