Sweet Creek Falls in Oregon’s Coastal

Practicing in Newport, Oregon, Dr. Joshua “Josh” Este leverages his MD as a member of the Samaritan Pacific Communities Hospital team, where he manages patient care. An outdoors enthusiast, Josh Este, MD, enjoys backpacking and has explored various wilderness trails. One scenic area about 40 miles south of Newport is Sweet Creek Falls.

Inhabiting a lush Coast Range valley, the trail is located Siuslaw National Forest and spans four sections totaling three miles. The verdant forest is characteristic of the coastal region and includes big leaf maple, alder, and Douglas fir. The 11 waterfalls encountered along this route all feature ferns and moss-grown rocks. The highlight is a tiered series of cascading waterfalls in the 10- to 30-foot range that together offer a haunting “multiple waterfall” effect.

One word of caution is that the stream can have fast-moving currents in the rainy season and there are many slippery stones in the vicinity. For this reason, an abundance of caution, rain gear, and a hiking partner are recommended for this trek.