Hemlock Falls

Drive east from Roseburg to the small town of Glide, and turn south on the signed Little River Road. Follow the Little River Road for 25.8 miles to the signed Lake-in-the-Woods campground. The trailhead lies about 1/3 of the way around the lake (marked by a generic hiking trail sign). The wide, well graded, but somewhat steep trail leads down to the base of the falls in 1/2 mile.Hemlock Creek crashes and twists about 45 feet down a rugged chasm and into a gorge covered with mosses, ferns, bushes and trees. The greenery surrounding the falls is nearly as impressive as the falls themselves. The gorge below the falls also seems to be a magnet for fallen trees, as there are several lying directly in front of the falls, and uncountable numbers below the falls (though they add to the character of the area). Though the falls are certainly a notable feature in the area, it surprised me to learn that there is a waterfall of at least twice this size not too far upstream that doesn't sport a name, despite its superior stature. The Hemlock Falls trail leaves from the Lake-in-the-Woods campground, who's namesake lake has an interesting back story. The area the lake encompasses was formerly a small pasture, which was filled when a nearby stream was diverted, and used as a watering hole for passing pack trains. Fortunately, this had no impact on Hemlock Creek or it's falls.