Bend, OR
Tumalo Falls is a 90 foot waterfall on the Tumalo Creek west of Bend. To get to the trailhead we took Skyliners Drive about 10.5 miles from town and turn right on Forest Service Road 4601, which is clearly labeled for Tumalo Falls. FSR 4601 is a gravel road about three miles long ending in a parking area at the base of the falls.
Just a short walk from the trailhead is a viewing area for the falls. It’s a great place for a photo before heading up the trail.
About a quarter mile up the trail is another viewing area right next to the creek as the water tumbles over the falls.
Looking back to the parking area from the top of the falls
From the top of the falls the trail continues up following Tumalo Creek for another 3.75 miles to an area called Happy Valley. Jim and Gail (Life’s Little Adventures) hiked this trail two years ago around the same time of year so we knew from their blog that we would run into snow blocking the trail before that.
Snow on the trail – Can we turn back yet? No way says the nimble hiker!
More snow . . . Keep going!
There are two more sets of falls above Tumalo Falls. When we arrived at the first set, we found a great area to view the river.
Turn around now? “Keep going,” says the nimble hiker.
It keeps getting deeper!
Just keep going . . .
. . . and going!
The third set of falls
We met another hiker who told us the snow was very deep above the third set of falls so we decided to turn around at that point. We returned to the nice view point at the second falls to enjoy a little lunch.
Lunch with a view
This is a great hike with a little something for everyone. We met a few families with children making the short, but steep climb up to the top of the first falls. From there you can turn around or you can keep going as far as you like. No matter the distance, the scenery along the creek is beautiful.
It’s difficult to believe that our month here in Bend is already drawing to an end. We extended our stay here a couple of days to let some rainy weather pass through the area, but things are improving so we’re now continuing our journey to the northwest. Next up is a short stay along the Columbia River. More on that later . . .
Spectacular falls and I always love your “lunch with a view” photos! The new shoes still working??
Thanks, Janna! The new shoes are great. I use them for casual wear and long walks.
WOW! We dream of hiking to such gorgeous waterfalls. Maybe we will find one like that in Wisconsin this summer. And I’m sure we won’t find snow….or could we??? CRAZY weather. We actually hiked in some snow once in shorts, too. Great memories….
Way to go, hiking in the snow in shorts! :-)) The falls are so gorgeous.
That is a gorgeous waterfall. What a pretty area, even with the snow. Lol
Great first shot of the waterfalls. Oh my hiking in shorts in the snow, how about that!
Woohoo…it’s great you got to see several of the falls along this trail! Can’t let a little snow stop you two!
Gorgeous! I really need to take a trip to Oregon one of these days…
Alicia @ GirlonaHike.com
Beautiful falls! This is a hike I would LOVE! Doesn’t snow add so much excitement on the trail?
What a neat waterfall! That first photo almost makes it look like a smaller Lower Yellowstone Falls.
And going, and going, and…..that’s quite the snow bank to traverse in shorts!! Beautiful falls – I bet the sound was amazing :-)))
Oh my gosh. This hike is gorgeous!! I love the falls. Glad you are going back at the end of August. It will be neat to see what that area looks like then. Keep enjoying the adventure.
Great first shot of the waterfalls.
I’m sure glad the nimble hiker pushed on as those waterfalls are outstanding.