Overview

• Location: Lane County, Umpqua National Forest (Trestle Creek, near Cottage Grove)

• Waterfall Type: Cascade

• Height: ~60 feet (18 m)

• Trail Distance: ~1 mile round-trip from the Trestle Creek Falls Trailhead

• Difficulty: Medium

• Best Time to Visit: Spring through fall

History & Background

Trestle Creek Falls is the upper and more impressive of two waterfalls on Trestle Creek accessible from the same trailhead in the Umpqua National Forest of Lane County, near Cottage Grove. At 60 feet, the upper falls is substantially taller than Lower Trestle Creek Falls (45 ft) downstream. The name ‘Trestle Creek’ refers to railroad trestles used during the logging era to transport timber from these southern Lane County hills — the Bohemia Mining District above Cottage Grove was one of Oregon’s most productive gold mining areas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and extensive logging accompanied the mining. Today the Umpqua National Forest manages these lands for recreation and watershed values, and the double waterfall hike on Trestle Creek is a worthwhile destination for those exploring the quieter corners of the Lane-Douglas county border country.

Geology

Trestle Creek Falls cascades 60 feet over a Western Cascades volcanic basalt cliff at approximately 1,700 feet elevation in the Trestle Creek drainage. The Western Cascades volcanic geology of this transitional zone between the Willamette Valley and the Umpqua highlands provides the resistant ledges over which Trestle Creek creates its two notable falls. The surrounding forest of Douglas fir, western red cedar, and bigleaf maple reflects the moist mid-elevation western Oregon Cascades environment.

Directions & Access

• Nearest City: Cottage Grove, OR (~15 miles northwest)

• Trail Information:

  • From the Trestle Creek Falls Trailhead east of Cottage Grove, hike approximately 0.5 miles through the forested canyon to the upper Trestle Creek Falls; the trail is well-maintained by the Umpqua National Forest

  • Lower Trestle Creek Falls (45 ft) is accessible from the same trailhead with additional trail distance; the two falls make an excellent combined destination

• Parking:

  • Small trailhead parking area; Northwest Forest Pass or day-use fee may apply

• Accessibility:

  • Not wheelchair accessible; natural trail surfaces with moderate terrain

Best Time to Visit

• Spring: Best flows; the 60-foot cascade is most impressive; surrounding forest vivid green

• Summer: Lower flows; cool shaded hiking; pleasant short outing near Cottage Grove

• Fall: Flows return with October rains; fall foliage from maple

• Winter: High flows after rain; road generally accessible

Nearby Attractions

• Lower Trestle Creek Falls (45 ft, same trailhead)

• Cottage Grove Covered Bridges

• Row River Trail (BLM)

• Brice Creek waterfall corridor

• Bohemia Mining District

References

• Links:

  • Umpqua National Forest – USFS

  • Travel Oregon – Cottage Grove

• Books:

  • Oregon Waterfalls by Greg Plumb

  • Waterfall Lover's Guide: Pacific Northwest