compactcamping
Explorer
Went exploring Sunday in the Willamette National Forest NW of Detroit, OR searching for waterfalls. On the way up Hwy 22 from Salem we stop at Niagara County park. It’s a place were the Santiam river boils through a 4’ slot in the rocks and a small falls tumbles into the river across the way.
Just before the town of Detroit, we took a left on French Creek Rd/2223, it’s a paved single lane with French Creek on the right. At about 2.7 miles we came to the first falls, it’s a least a few hundred foot tall on the right side, up on the mountain. It appears to be Marten Creek.
At the junction of 2223 and 2207 the road switches to gravel, we stayed to the left on 2223. 2223 starts to climb and get a little rocky as it heads up towards Water Tower Mountain. About a mile up you start to get great views of Mount Jefferson off the east.
In the same area there are multiple falls coming down from the snow melt.
We made it about 2 1/2 miles up before the combination of steep climbs and snow ended our progress. Went back to the junction of 2223 and 2207 and headed up 2207. As you start to climb, you get great views back into French Basin and its falls. The plan was to follow 2207 to Elkhorn, then back out to Hwy 22. Well a few miles up 2207 we hit 2-3’ snow drifts and our progress we stopped again. Had to head home the way we came.
Still a great day, with lots of beautiful scenery and perfect weather. Nice area to go back and further explorer after the snow is gone.
Has anyone been up to Water Tower Mountain or Phantom Natural Bridge? Does 2223 stay suitable for AWD all the way to the top?
Just before the town of Detroit, we took a left on French Creek Rd/2223, it’s a paved single lane with French Creek on the right. At about 2.7 miles we came to the first falls, it’s a least a few hundred foot tall on the right side, up on the mountain. It appears to be Marten Creek.
At the junction of 2223 and 2207 the road switches to gravel, we stayed to the left on 2223. 2223 starts to climb and get a little rocky as it heads up towards Water Tower Mountain. About a mile up you start to get great views of Mount Jefferson off the east.
In the same area there are multiple falls coming down from the snow melt.
We made it about 2 1/2 miles up before the combination of steep climbs and snow ended our progress. Went back to the junction of 2223 and 2207 and headed up 2207. As you start to climb, you get great views back into French Basin and its falls. The plan was to follow 2207 to Elkhorn, then back out to Hwy 22. Well a few miles up 2207 we hit 2-3’ snow drifts and our progress we stopped again. Had to head home the way we came.
Still a great day, with lots of beautiful scenery and perfect weather. Nice area to go back and further explorer after the snow is gone.
Has anyone been up to Water Tower Mountain or Phantom Natural Bridge? Does 2223 stay suitable for AWD all the way to the top?
