North Fork - Happy Valley Trail & Tumalo Falls

May 19, 2018

The second hike while camping at Tumalo State Park combined Tumalo Falls and the Happy Valley trail.  One might think that Tumalo Falls would be at Tumalo State Park, but it is about a 17 mile drive from the state park.  So once again we headed out early, especially since the parking lot at the falls/trailhead is small.

When we arrived we took one of the last two spots still available in the parking lot (holds about 12 cars) and then hiked across the lot to the first viewpoint of Tumalo Falls.  Wow!!.

Tumalo Falls from lower viewpoint.  Upper viewpoint is just to left at top of falls -- see the wall?

Vertical view of all 90 feet of waterfall

After oooooing and ahhhhhing at the falls, we began hiking the North Fork trail up to the top of the falls where there was another viewpoint.  Most people hike this short quarter mile portion of the trail so they can see the falls closeup.  Only a few days earlier crews had repaired the platform since there was a crack found in it, so we proceeded with caution.

View from the upper viewing area

Looking over the top of Tumalo Falls

Having read about Tumalo Falls, statistics show that about 75% of people only view the falls and/or  hike this short trail portion to the top of the falls and then leave.  Only 1 out of every 4 people continue hiking the North Fork/Happy Valley trail which is another 3.75 miles one way from the top of the falls to Happy Valley.  If one does not have a dog along, there is an actual loop hike you can do that is about 8 miles long.  Either way, if you visit Tumalo Falls and are able, be sure to at least hike out to Happy Valley - you will be amazed.

Onward we go past Tumalo Falls

So we continued on the North Fork - Happy Valley trail which follows Tumalo Creek and came upon waterfall after waterfall that were roaring due to the snow melt.  It was amazing and beautiful.....we can't even begin to describe how incredible it was seeing all these waterfalls.  We probably saw at least a dozen waterfalls along our hike so here are a few pictures for your viewing.

Eventually we crossed the creek on a one-sided plank bridge (a first for us and Katie)  and began hitting patches of snow.  Yes, the frozen white stuff.  It wasn't too long after the bridge that we finally had to stop hiking and turn around since the trail was completely covered, but we got about 3 miles along on the trail.

Across the one-sided plank bridge we go

Snow across the trail close to where we turned around.

As we returned we got to view all the waterfalls again and began to run into a lot of hikers and backpackers.  We began to think that maybe those statistics were wrong, maybe a lot of people do hike this trail past the falls.  But then when we got to the parking lot we found that there were cars parked along the gravel road past the parking lot for about a half mile and more coming.  Being early paid off again and so did going the extra miles along the North Fork - Happy Valley trail as we were treated to some beautiful and incredible scenery that we won't soon forget.

Trekking Together
Glenn  & Carol