Salem, OR: Shellburg & Stassel Falls Loop

From the small trailhead parking area a mile up Fern Ridge Road, round the gate, and start up gravel Shellberg Road for 1.25 miles through a combination of fir forest and open meadows. In summertime, a profusion of wildflowers lines the path; sweet pea, foxglove, oxeye daisies, and buttercups. in later summer, bring a container to collect blackberries along the way. Stick to the gravel road however, as the trail seen below the road is on private property.

Where the road crosses Shellberg Creek and 40′ Lower Shellberg Falls, look for a set of steps on the left. Before heading up the steps and starting the loop section, check out the Lower Falls from both sides of the bridge; a picnic table can be found on the east side with a nice view of the falls. Heading up trail (N), enter more Douglas fir forest, now decorated with bleeding heart and solomonseal. After an easy quarter-mile climb, fork left to the lower viewpoint of Upper Shellberg Falls, a 100′ curtain that spills over an ancient lava flow. Continuing up the trail, pass behind the falls through a cavern beneath the lava flow, eroded away by the falls.

On the opposite side of the river, climb a couple of gentle switchbacks to the plateau above Upper Falls, and continue along flat trail for a half mile to a trail detour sign turning to the right (E). Back at gravel Shellberg Road, turn right (S) and proceed down the road for 0.75 mile. Where the road takes a turn to the right (W), look for a dirt trail on the left and detour 0.25 mile, veering right at a fork, to a viewpoint above Stassel Falls pouring into a 200′ deep gorge. Return to the road, and continue heading down (W), passing the Lower Falls crossing, and returning along the same route to your starting point.

Mapped by Eli Boschetto Bosco Mountain Photo

Trail Facts

• Distance: 6.6

Waypoints

SBG001

Location: 44.805384, -122.62741

Trailhead for Shellberg Falls; start up gated road.

SBG002

Location: 44.810357, -122.608226

Lower Falls crossing; turn left (N) up stairs to begin falls loop.

SBG003

Location: 44.81235, -122.608698

Upper Falls viewpoint.

SBG004

Location: 44.812741, -122.608645

Pass behind Upper Falls; viewing bench available to ponder the back side of water.

SBG005

Location: 44.813399, -122.609257

Cross Shellberg Creek.

SBG006

Location: 44.815165, -122.610388

Bridge washout ahead; detour right (E).

SBG007

Location: 44.815329, -122.609991

Shellberg Road; turn right (S) and walk down road. Restrooms available up road to left.

SBG008

Location: 44.816455, -122.610329

Restrooms at small campground.

SBG009

Location: 44.80989, -122.603452

Turn left (E) on light trail to Stassel Falls overlook.

SBG010

Location: 44.809483, -122.60114

Veer right to falls overlook; private property straight ahead.

SBG011

Location: 44.809217, -122.600979

Stassel Falls overlook.

SBG012

Location: 44.81026, -122.607749

Picnic table on east side of Lower Falls, and end of loop. Complete hike by returning along Shellberg Road.

Foxglove

Location: 44.803885, -122.621396

Tall stalks of foxglove line the path up Shellberg Road.

Daisies

Location: 44.804703, -122.616241

Summer brings an abundance of oxeye daisies to the meadows en route to Shellberg Falls.

Lower Falls

Location: 44.810301, -122.608023

The lower portion of Shellberg Falls, seen from the east side of the bridge crossing.

Upper Falls

Location: 44.812387, -122.608731

From the lower viewpoint, Upper Shellberg Falls spills over an ancient lava flow.

Upper Cavern

Location: 44.812737, -122.608564

Eroded away by centuries of flowing water, the upper falls created this cavern behind and underneath the upper lava flow.

EBoschetto_Shellburg_2817.jpg

Location: 44.814682, -122.609932

Stassel Falls

Location: 44.809217, -122.600936

Plunging into a 200′ deep gorge, Stassel Falls is a short detour off the Shellberg Falls loop.