Lower Sardine Creek Falls

Photographer: G. Price

back to waterfalls - Salem


Month: April

Sardine Mountain (el. 4950 ft) sources Sardine Creek SE of Salem.
GPS N44º 45.653', W122º 16.031', Elevation above sea level 1760 ft.
Directions:
  1. On I-5 take Salem exit 253 (Hwy 22) and head east
  2. 0.4 miles past milepost 40 find a wide spot on the north side of the road and park
  3. Sardine Creek will be seen right next to the pullout (elevation 1250')
    (as a point of reference you will just pass Big Cliff Falls)
A topographical map shows Sardine Road on the other side of the pullout.
However, as the sign below shows, it isn't a good idea to try to drive up this road.


Below is a zoomed out view of the lower falls as it is fed by another creek in the background.


Some areas of white water just below the lower falls.


A pool that I spotted when the sun was striking it.
It had a bluish appearance that made it look really cool.


Next is a feeder creek that adds to the main creek's flow.


Earlier in February I got a good shot of the snowline in the evergreen line above me.


Above I mention the waterfall is 'lower'. I was able to see a 'middle'.
I also saw an 'upper'. The middle falls has a great deal of foliage
in front that prevented a good angle. The upper falls can barely be seen
through a veil of evergreens 0.2 miles away. A zoomed-in view with my lens would have
been fruitless. But, don't let that stop you from exploring the scenery along
this road.

Average rate of rise for the trail is 510' / 1¼ miles, or 4.4 degrees
In some places it gets steeper. When coming back down choose your steps
wisely - you are coming down an incline much like a staircase. It would be
easy to pound your knees from physical shock.

URL: http://oregonwaterfalls.net/sardine.htm