Winter Wonderland: Opal Creek

Opal Creek is one of the most charming waterways in Northwest Oregon. Big pools, small cascades, old forests and narrow chasms delight the traveler and invite them to go further in. And for a winter overnight destination, it is perfect with a fairly low elevation trailhead leading to easy to follow tread in a secluded corner of the state. Drive I-5 south through Salem and take Exit 253 for Highway 22, Detroit Lake, and Bend. After making the exit turn left onto Highway 22. Drive 22.3 miles and turn left onto North Fork Road for the Elkhorn Recreation Area. Go 15.4 miles and keep left at a junction where the road changes from pavement to gravel and becomes FR 2209. Here you enter the Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area. After 1.3 miles, keep left at the junction with FR 2207.Drive another 4.3 miles to the large trailhead parking area.

Follow the road to Jawbone Flats, taking it 2.5 miles past the “half bridges” and make a right over the trail bridge to follow the Santiam River upstream. In 2 miles you meet up with a trail split at Opal Pool, a lovely waterfall into a emerald abyss, take the right split and follow the creek deeper into the forest.  The next 1.5 miles of the trail are a little more rugged and rooty, but also more scenic when you approach Cedar Flats with it’s stellar old growth specimens. A great camp spot is located here close to the roar of a wide waterfall among these noble trees, sit back and have a beer after your 6 mile hike and soak in the scenery.