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Salem, OR: Little North Santiam Trail
Grab your hiking boots and a swimsuit for this 7.4-mile hike along the Little North Santiam River that tours a string of crystal clear swimming holes.
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| Author: | Backpacker Magazine |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Oregon (OR) |
| Distance: | 7.4 mi |
| Difficulty: | 6 / 10 |
| USGS Topo Map: | Elkhorn |
| Rating: | Unrated |
Hikers looking for a refreshing escape from the summer heat should explore this 7.4-mile out-and-back along the Little North Santiam River. Roughly an hour from Salem, the riverside hike tours a natural water park with deep emerald pools linked by chutes, cascades, and waterfalls. From the trailhead near Elkhorn, follow Little North Santiam Trail along the river, passing several spurs to rocky beaches and cascading waterfalls. Less than half a mile in, the trail bears right and climbs steadily away from the river to a vantage point overlooking the gorge, Henline Mountain, and Triple Falls.
From here, the route descends back to the river and passes a roomy campsite with access to a secluded beach. After 2.5 miles, the trail travels past the Three Pools area, a popular swimming hole marked by a rock pinnacle and a series of chutes and pools. (For more solitude, continue 1,000 feet to a quiet, pebbly beach east of Three Pools.) At mile 3.7, the trail meets Forest Road 2207 and a small parking area (good place to park a shuttle car). Turn around and follow the same route back to the trailhead.
INFO: Little North Santiam Trail #3338
-Mapped by Eli Boschetto, Bosco Mountain Photo
TO TRAILHEAD: From Mehama, OR, head east on OR 22 for 0.8 mile. Turn left on North Fork Rd. (across from Swiss Village restaurant). In 14.6 miles, turn right on gravel Elkhorn Dr./FR 201. Go 0.4 mile to trailhead parking on left.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
Little North Santiam Trail
| Distance: 3.71 mi | Points: 267 |
Little North Santiam Trail
Points of Interest
LNS001
Location: 44.833938, -122.350917From the trailhead just east of Elkhorn, hike north on the Little North Santiam Trail.
LNS002
Location: 44.835346, -122.349318Cross the first of many rustic log bridges.
LNS003
Location: 44.835810, -122.346888Continue straight, heading southeast. Optional: Turn left to follow the short, steep spur that leads down to a rocky beach.
LNS004
Location: 44.835614, -122.345949Pass a short spur that leads down to a rocky beach and a deep pool.
LNS005
Location: 44.835262, -122.344726Cross a log bridge. Look for trillium alongside the trail.
LNS006
Location: 44.836852, -122.343450The trail passes a short, overgrown spur to the river (nice views, but poor access).
LNS007
Location: 44.837027, -122.343203A short spur leads to rocky outcrops. You'll find views of a wide waterfall pouring over a basalt bench.
LNS008
Location: 44.837073, -122.342849The trail turns right (east) and starts to climb. Recommended: Take the spur trail straight ahead for views of a waterfall.
LNS009
Location: 44.837491, -122.342881This rocky platform offers views above the waterfall. You can access the pool upriver by following the spur and scrambling over rocks.
LNS010
Location: 44.838800, -122.337302Cross a creek.
LNS011
Location: 44.839104, -122.336090Look through the trees and across the gorge for views of a large waterfall. There is no access to the pools below this point.
LNS012
Location: 44.839081, -122.335650Pass a small campground with a fire ring. There's a faint and very steep trail that descends toward water.
LNS013
Location: 44.838990, -122.334588The route passes a short spur that leads to views of the river gorge and Henline Mountain.
LNS014
Location: 44.838731, -122.331637Enjoy the views from this vantage point; avalanche lily flourish in sunny spots.
LNS015
Location: 44.838176, -122.325897Cross a bridge.
LNS016
Location: 44.838366, -122.319996Cross two more log bridges.
LNS017
Location: 44.839621, -122.317507A roomy campground with a fire ring is located between the trail and the river. Look for the short spur that links the campsite to a private pebbly beach and deep pool.
LNS018
Location: 44.839897, -122.318234Relax at this little beach with a deep emerald pool.
LNS019
Location: 44.838267, -122.313130Cross a wooden bridge.
LNS020
Location: 44.838317, -122.310055Look down onto the popular Three Pools area, an often-crowded swimming hole with deep pools and chutes (no river access here).
LNS021
Location: 44.838797, -122.307571The spur trail on the left leads to a rocky beach at the top of the Three Pools area.
LNS022
Location: 44.838853, -122.307826Lucky hikers may find solitude at this pebbly beach with a deep green pool.
LNS023
Location: 44.838997, -122.304601Pass a small campground with a fire ring and easy access to the river.
LNS024
Location: 44.838838, -122.303023A short spur trail descends to the river; look for a small natural arch in the basalt bedrock.
LNS025
Location: 44.838917, -122.301917Cross Little Cedar Creek on a rustic bridge.
LNS026
Location: 44.841409, -122.302294A steep spur on the left descends to a large rock outcrop near a small pool.
LNS027
Location: 44.845730, -122.297949Turn around at FR 2207 and retrace the route back to the trailhead (Shady Cove Campground is located across the bridge).
Cascade Pool
Location: 44.835825, -122.345923Deep green pool beneath a small cascade. © Eli Boschetto
Waterfall
Location: 44.837217, -122.343128Wide waterfall pouring over a basalt bench. Look for deep pools above and below. © Eli Boschetto
Cool Green
Location: 44.837681, -122.342784Large pool above bench waterfall. © Eli Boschetto
Hidden Falls
Location: 44.839119, -122.335961Tall waterfall across the gorge. © Eli Boschetto
Little North Santiam River Gorge
Location: 44.838784, -122.331487Views of the Little North Santiam River gorge and Henline Mountain. © Eli Boschetto
Private Pool
Location: 44.839926, -122.318108This gorgeous pool has its own private pebbly beach and is attached to a nice campsite. © Eli Boschetto
Three Pools
Location: 44.838320, -122.309933This popular swimming hole has a series of deep green pools connected by small chutes and cascades. © Eli Boschetto
Pebble Beach
Location: 44.838899, -122.307744This deep, quiet pool with small beach is at the top of the Three Pools area. © Eli Boschetto
Wooden Bridge
Location: 44.838929, -122.301800This length of trail crossed numerous creeks and streams on rustic wooden bridges. © Eli Boschetto
Shady Forest
Location: 44.843973, -122.301028Cool and shady old-growth forest. © Eli Boschetto
FR 2207
Location: 44.845730, -122.297831The bridge on FR 2207. © Eli Boschetto
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