Brice Creek Trail

About the Hike

The Brice Creek trail follows the creek closely, offering fun exploration among the interesting rocks and pools shaded by an old-growth forest. This trail is nice, but the Upper Trestle Falls is a worthy 2.5 mile side loop. Continue along Brice Creek past the first turn-off and try the 0.3 mile detour to the misty lower falls grotto. Then continue to the farther turn-off to the Upper Trestle Falls trail and take a left. The loop will bring you back to the first cut-off where you’ll turn right to go back to wherever you parked. Depending on where you start your hike, your route can vary between 3.5 and 10 miles. Moderate. The waterfall loop involves some uphill and downhill hiking. This is a popular mountain biking trail, so be careful.

The Dirt

The Brice Creek roadless area, and nearby Northnoon Ridge roadless area, have been threatened and impacted by old-growth logging in the recent past.  In the late 1990s battles raged over the Blodgett and Northnoon Timber Sales - both in old-growth forests containing sensitive species. Unfortunately, these forests were logged. The Wyatt Timber Sale, on the northeast side of the roadless area, has been stopped, however. Sensitive wildlife were found in the forest and the logging plan was held up for years. In late 2005, the Forest Service made the wise decision to drop plans to log this area and instead focus on thinning plantations elsewhere in the Cottage Grove Ranger District.

Getting There

From Eugene, drive I-5 south to Cottage Grove exit 174. Follow signs to Dorena Lake, and follow this road almost 22 miles from the freeway. The lower trailhead is a mile past the Umpqua National Forest entrance sign on the right. The upper trailhead is another few miles up Road 22 at the next bridge. Parking can be found at the Cedar Creek Campground and Lund Park in between, depending on how far you want to hike.