Bridge Creek Falls

The Tumalo Falls area is located about 10 miles west of Bend beneath Broken Top. From Highway 97 in Bend, turn west on Franklin Street. As Franklin runs through town, it parallels a nice park along the Deschutes River. Just after this park - about a mile from 97 - turn right and cross the River on Galveston Street. After passing Century Drive, Galveston turns into Skyliners Road. Follow Skyliners Road for 10 ½ miles, and turn left on FR 4601, signed for Tumalo Falls, just after crossing Tumalo Creek. This gravel route ends in another 2 ½ miles at the Tumalo Falls Trailhead. Start up the trail to the top of Tumalo Falls, then after the first switchback, turn left at the Bridge Creek trail. Because you will be traveling in a municipal watershed, you are asked to fill out a free permit. Continue for just under a mile up the trail to the falls. The best viewpoints are found to the left, immediately after crossing Spring Creek (after the falls initially come into view).Bridge Creek is a moderate volume tributary of Tumalo Creek near well-known Tumalo Falls. That there are several waterfalls along Tumalo Creek it makes sense there is a waterfall along neighboring Bridge Creek as well. Actually, there are two. The main falls, shown here, is a pretty straightforward plunge of about 25 feet in a shallow canyon. I was under the impression that the falls were a little larger, and I was rather disappointed upon my visit. There is another waterfall about halfway between this and the trailhead - a cascade of about 30 feet, which although easy to see, isn't terribly easy to photograph, so I didn't even bother. Neither waterfall is really worth going out of the way to see, but since there are much more significant waterfalls nearby, these make a loop hike up Tumalo Creek and down Bridge Creek easily justified. The falls occur within the municipal watershed for the city of Bend, but they have the foresight to recognize the recreational opportunities in the area, and I would like to extend heartfelt thanks for not restricting travel in the area. Please be courteous and follow the posted rules (no swimming, no camping) when in the watershed.