Snailback Falls Hike, Oregon

Wild and Scenic Illinois River Road Guide

Upper Snailback Falls, Wild and Scenic Illinois River, Highway 199, Selma, Oregon Snailback falls involves a steep hike following an old mining road to a ridge about a thousand feet in elevation above the road where the hike starts. The hike is interesting because of the dramatic transition in geology resulting in two very different plant communities.

Directions

Follow Highway 199 to Selma and turn on Illinois River Road toward the Wild and Scenic Illinois River corridor. The turn is marked by a blinking yellow light with a post office on the corner. Turn and drive past the post office to get on Illinois River Road. If you turn the other way you will be on Deer Creek Road. Zero your odometer as you turn on to Illinois River Road and drive 3.6 miles to the point where the hike begins. At 3.6 miles, look for a wide turnout on the right. You may need to find a place to park along the shoulder on the opposite side of the road. There are two 4x4 roads that go into the forest on the right. Follow the dirt road on the left and, about 300-400 feet from the road, look for where it turns to the left and starts to go up hill. The climb becomes steep for the next mile. The road ends at the top of a ridge where you suddenly encounter a deep forest of green trees. Look for the trail off to the right through the brush. This trail begins as a faint, poorly defined, narrow path but becomes very well defined after walking about 200 feet. This well defined trail ends at an old mining operation and from this point becomes a narrow, single-track path. As you walk on this trail keep an eye above for a glimpse of the upper falls, which can be seen about 250 feet above the trail. Several small falls between the upper and lower falls are not visible as they cascade down the craggy cliff.

Trail Description

Map to Snailback Creek Falls, Wild and Scenic Illinois River access, Highway 199, Selma, southwest Oregon Siskiyou Mountains The hike begins by climbing through a serpentine plant community of stunted Jeffrey pine, incense cedar and manzanita that was heavily burned in the 2002 Biscuit Fire. This plant community ends suddenly at the ridge where the geology changes to sediments from the ancient Chetco volcanic islands. a bizarre geologic event that happened during the Jurassic (mid age of dinosaurs). These rocks support a dense forest of Douglas-fir and sugar pine seen for the rest of the hike. This deep forest around the last part of the hike is a beautiful example of an almost ideal under-story burn where the forest debris was burned but the old trees survived.

WARNING: Hiking in a heavily burned forest such as seen along first part of this hike can be hazardous especially in high winds and inclement weather. Trees may fall and rocks may break loose and roll down the hillside. Be aware that hiking in a burned forest subjects hikers to hazardous conditions for which most hikers have little or no experience. Check with the Forest Service for the latest hiking advisories in the area burned by the Biscuit Fire.

Wild and Scenic Illinois River, Highway 199, Cave Junction, Oregon

(L) View from the Snailback Falls Trail looking toward the Wild and Scenic Illinois River. (R) The understory was burned but not the trees along the Snailback Falls Trail in the last half mile of the hike.

________________________________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...