Hiking TrailsSpirit Waterfall in the
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Basic precautions hiking trails to Moon, Pinard or Spirit Waterfalls in the Layng Creek watershedSwimming in and camping on Layng Creek is prohibited, as it's the municipal water supply. Please abide by the regulations of no swimming and no camping. This privilege can be revoked. A few years ago the lawns of residents on the way out to Layng Creek were peppered with signs demanding Layng Creek not be closed to the general public, and it wasn't. That does not mean it cannot be or won't be in the future. Protect this area and our freedom to visit and enjoy. Stay out of the water, don't use the trails as personal restrooms; basically, we all just need to follow the guidelines posted at the trailhead, and our privilege to enjoy these treasures will be maintained. Directions to Spirit Falls from Cottage Grove, Oregon. Protect our National Forests and Wilderness Areas. Leave NO Trace! | |||
Forward ~ Magical Moon Falls in the Umpqua National Forest. Back ~ The lower Waterfall on Trestle Creek. USFS: Umpqua National Forest. BLM: Roseburg District of the Bureau of Land Management. Poison Oak can be a problem. Photograph to the left was taken at Brice Creek in late summer. | |||
Directions for the hiking trail to Spirit Waterfalls in the Umpqua National Forest:Take exit 174 for Cottage Grove from I - 5. If you're heading south, this is the second exit. The exit will just turn into the road you need. Follow it east for 19.4 miles until you see the "Y" marking Layng Creek and Brice Creek Roads. Turn left on Layng Creek Road (#17). Travel 8.8 miles to the gravel road numbered #1790. Turn right on 1790 and drive .1 mile to the trailhead. The hike is a short .4 mile of a gentle grade that travels a forested ridgeline, then follows a switchback down to Alex Creek, pooling just below Spirit Waterfall, nestled in a forested canyon. Spirit Falls drop about 60 feet over a mossy rock wall. As stated above, the trail is located within Layng Creek Watershed, a municipal water supply for Row River community. Because of this, camping and swimming are prohibited here. The above photograph was taken during late July or August. Obviously, the waterfall will flow more profusely earlier in the year, but I think it's loveliest as portrayed above. The Umpqua National Forest judges the trail grade as ranging from 5-25%. Taking the "Silver Stairs" out of the Umpqua National Forest and into the Willamette National Forest:If you like to explore, don't turn towards Cottage Grove when you've made your hikes and are ready to leave the area, turn in the opposite direction and follow the signs to Hwy 58, the Willamette Pass. This route is clearly marked. Nevertheless, I called the Cottage Grove Ranger Station of the Umpqua National Forest (541-767-5000) to confirm the "names" of the roads on the route. Not surprisingly, the representative knows the forest better than I do. She said that from Moon Falls you can get right onto 1714, which is the road you need. Getting onto 1714 isn’t clear to me, since we always just follow the signs. If you see 1714 when leaving the area of Moon Falls, perhaps you might just want to get on it and make your way. Based upon what she said, Brad and I have always gotten onto 1790, and as I said it's clearly marked. We’ve gone this way after hiking to all the waterfalls in the Layng Watershed: Moon, Spirit and Pinard waterfalls. This route on 1790 is called "The Silver Stairs" locally - pretty name for a pretty place. According to what ranger said, 1790 will turn into 1714. To clarify any doubts you might have, Brad and I have never known the numbers of the route. A man who'd lived in the area for decades told us about it the first time we hiked at Brice Creek. We've taken it every time it's been late enough in the year to do so. The road is impassable until snowmelt, so don’t attempt it too early. It's a well maintained gravel road that turns into a paved road in the Willamette National Forest. The road is named when you come out on the Willamette Pass, Patterson Road. As I said, the way from the Umpqua National Forest into the Willamette National Forest and Hwy 58 is clearly marked with signs that say, Hwy 58 and perhaps Oakridge. The last time I'd been to McCready Hot Springs, people had ridden their bikes from Brice Creek to Hwy 58, and from there to McCready. They were cooking eggs where the water comes out from underground - Interesting people. :-) Campgrounds in the Row River WatershedBrice Creek: Cedar Creek Campground, Lund Campground and Hobo Campground. Sharps Creek: Mineral Camp Campground. Sharps Creek Recreation Area, not associated with the Umpqua National Forest, can be found on Sharps Creek also. It has a great swimming hole. Layng Creek: Rujada Campground. For more information on camping in the Row River watershed ...
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Advertise Here! Travel to Gathering Light ... a retreat on the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway: Travel Directions Map and Scenery. Experience the columnar basalt of Toketee Waterfalls, tumultuous Watson Falls, the beauty of the wild and scenic Umpqua River and the Umpqua National Forest as you drive the Rogue Umpqua Scenic Byway, the "Keeper", Deadline Falls, a class 5 rapid, the Salmon returning to span from May through July - Enjoy the wild and scenic river. When you come to the north entrance of Crater Lake, enjoy Crater Lake National Park too. Directions to and Day Trips of about 100 miles from the retreat. Little known Scenic Places to nature untrammeled: hiking with and without trails, wetlands, national wildlife refuges, mountains, wilderness areas, river gorges and more near Crater Lake National Park and the retreat: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery. | |||
Photograph to the left was taken at Wood River Wetlands, not far from Gathering Light ... a retreat. | |||
Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat. | |||