Past Activity

Shellburg Falls

  • Start date: 04/21/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 04/21/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Many have been to Silver Falls State Park but did you know that there is another walk-behind waterfall not far from the North Santiam Highway (22). The trailhead is only about a mile from the highway.. Our hike will begin on a private pasture land road which allows easy access to the Santiam State Forest and the falls. One hundred foot Shellburg Falls is like a smaller version on the South Falls at Silver Falls Park. Both falls drop over a 20 million year-old lava flow. The softer layer underneath has been cut away providing us with that special behind the falls view. We'll also get a view of thee-tiered Stassel Falls which is situated on private land.

  • Event Leader: David Cooper

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-868-5427

  • Event Leader Email: dwcoop@yahoo.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 150

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Weather appropriate clothing and footwear. It's spring in Oregon so there might be some damp/muddy spots. Lunch & water.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 5.7

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 740

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees:

Trip Report

Our hike started with a walk down a road through open pasture land before entering the trees. In a short time came to a bridge built right over the top of Lower Shellburg Falls. Moving across the bridge we took advantage of a viewing area. Then it was up to the main attraction --Upper Shellburg Falls. The full spring flow plummeted from Columbia Basalt atop the area. Softer materiel beneath the the basalt has been eroded away creating an alcove behind the falls where trail goes. Above the falls, the trail through the woods took us the a campground where we took a lunch break in a large group picnic area. Two more short trails along the creek and over a ridge gave us a loop back to the road. But before going to the cars we followed an un-maintained trail to get a view of Stassel Falls which features a dramatic free standing column of basalt. Dramatic falls, spring flowers, nice weather, and good company.