Hiking

North Umpqua Trail

Popular for hiking and mountain biking, the North Umpqua Trail's western most boundary begins on the south side of Swiftwater Bridge. The first 16 miles of the trail is the Tioga segment. The trail parallels the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River, winding through mature Douglas fir, cedar, hemlock, and pine trees, some of which are over six feet in diameter.

The first quarter-mile of the North Umpqua Trail is "barrier free" and leads to the Deadline Falls Watchable Wildlife Site. The walk is popular for seniors and families with young children. Between May and October, one may relax and observe anadromous (sea run) steelhead and salmon jumping up the falls on their journey from the ocean to spawn in the tributary waters of the Cascade Mountains.

Most of the rest of the trail is moderately difficult. A section with steep switch-backs over Bob Butte is rated difficult. This part takes the hiker away from the river for a few miles.

On BLM lands, primitive camping is allowed between 100 and 500 feet of the trail. Policy is to pack out what you bring in (no-trace camping). Camping is not allowed in the trailhead's parking lot.

The full length of the North Umpqua Trail is 79 miles. It traverses the Umpqua National Forest and connects with the Pacific Crest Trail high in the Cascade Mountains. The trail was constructed through combined efforts of the Forest Service, BLM, and many dedicated volunteers.

Susan Creek Falls Trail

Susan Creek Day-Use Area is one-half mile downriver from Susan Creek Campground. A hiking trail along the North Umpqua River connects the two sites. The day-use area overlooks the North Umpqua Wild and Scenic River and serves as a trailhead for the Susan Creek Falls Trail which begins across Highway 138 from the parking lot.

A take-out point on the North Umpqua River for rafts and kayaks is just west of the picnic site.

Susan Creek Falls, is a spectacular 50-foot waterfall located one mile from the day-use parking lot up a winding trail with some steep grades. This trail is under reconstructed in 1996-97 and is being built to disabled- accessible standards.

Another quarter-mile up the trail from the falls, hikers can visit the Susan Creek Indian Mounds. The moss-covered rocks were believed to be a spiritual site which was visited by Indian boys approaching manhood. They would spend the night in fasting and search for a vision of a guardian spirit. Stones were piled up in hopes that such a vision would be granted.

Wolf Creek Falls Trail

Secluded in a tranquil forest setting, the 1.2-mile Wolf Creek Falls Trail leads to two beautiful waterfalls tumbling over rock cliffs, 50 and 75 feet into pools below. Water flows vary from a full-fan waterfall in the wet spring months (photo) to a narrowed spout in the summertime. Vegetation is lush and green in later April and through May. In the late fall and winter months ample rains provide a high volume of water over the cliffs, one must be prepared for a colder and damper hike.

A picnic site is located one-quarter mile from the beginning of the trailhead where a large arched foot-bridge crosses Little River. A parking area, vault toilet and picnic table are located across Little River road from the foot-bridge.

Close by camping is located at BLM's Cavitt Cr. Campground, or at one of several U.S. Forest Service campgrounds farther up the Little River corridor. Three other waterfall hikes up river on U.S. Forest Service lands offer additional hikes to majestic Pacific Northwest waterfalls. Trail maintenance is done in partnership with the Wolf Creek Youth Job Corps located one-mile farther up Little River road. For more information visit the BLM site.