FKT: Ben Wilbur - Silver Falls State Park Perimeter Loop - 2025-05-11

Athletes
Route variation
Standard route
Multi-sport
No
Para athlete
No
Gender category
Male
Style
Unsupported
Start date
Finish date
Total time
5h 19m 13s
Report

Good hike with some light rain at the start. Began at South Falls parking lot/trailhead. Even at 8am on a Sunday there were a decent number of hikers. The waterfall section is beautiful, though the biggest waterfall where the trail takes you behind it and under a huge rock face will mess with your GPS track. 
 

Once I got into the backcountry section, I didn’t see a single other hiker, just one equestrian about halfway through. This section is almost entirely smooth packed single track dirt trail, and the elevation gain is gradual and very manageable. I also heard and saw a black bear 50 yards off trail at around mile 14 - that certainly got my heart rate up. 
 

Otherwise, it was uneventful. There are water sources spaced throughout the backcountry section if needed. Note the last 1-2 miles of this gpx track take you through campground which is closed until June 2025, and it also takes you through a couple of fields where there is no actual trail.