Lower Shellburg Falls

Located in the Santiam State Forest near Mehama. From I-5 in Salem, take Highway 22 east for about 22 miles to the small town of Mehama. Turn left on Fern Ridge Road, and follow for 1.2 miles to an unmarked gravel road which heads off sharply to the right. Park here so as to not block the gate, and follow the gravel road for 1 ¼ miles to the bridge over Shellburg Creek. The falls lie immediately below. Best views are on the far side of the second gate encountered. This is public access to the falls, however, the road crosses private land, so please obey the signs at the first gate, and stay on the road until you reach State land.Lower Shellburg Falls is the easiest waterfall in the Stout Creek drainage to view. The falls occur where Shellburg Creek flows under a road, then plunges over the craggy basalt canyon wall in two steps. When viewed from the road, the falls appear to drop into a pile of rubble and wood, then disappear underground before emerging as the lower tier. Viewing the falls head on (only possible by scrambling down the adjacent slope), it's evident that the creek is just squeezed between a few boulders. Because Shellburg Creek relies solely on rainfall to sustain its flow, it runs very low in the summer, though I haven't seen any evidence that it dries out.Shellburg Falls was likely named first, and this waterfall was subsequently named as a postscript for its relation to the more stately upper falls.