Proxy Falls

This waterfall is accessed directly from the roadside. It is divided into an upper and a lower waterfall. The upper falls are more obscured by trees and flow into a pool with no visible outlet, said to extend underground. The lower falls are reached via a rough path that people have formed through messy trees. It is unclear what the original trail looked like. You have to hold onto fallen logs to make your way down. Getting close to the waterfall almost feels like walking along tree trunks. Driving from Portland takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, heading straight into the primitive forests of central Oregon to reach this unreal wild waterfall, Proxy Falls. Proxy is about 45 minutes from Sisters and 1.5 hours from Bend. But it is worth it. For the detailed route, there are two waterfalls. After parking by the roadside, we went clockwise and looped back. Although we saw a sign saying one way trail, it is actually not strictly one way. Just follow AllTrails. There is no signal, so download everything in advance. Photos 3 and 4 show Upper Falls, which is easier to reach. Along the way there were red and yellow leaves, full of autumn vibes. The first stop is Proxy Falls, which requires some climbing to reach, a bit messy, and it was raining so the path was slippery. You can also view it from a distance as in photo 6. Or cross over many fallen trees and follow the sound to reach the base of the waterfall. The orange return route from Proxy Falls is not easy to walk, full of rocks. On the drive in, you will pass Dee Wright Observatory. The only downside is that it is a bit far and cold, around eight to nine degrees. I came from California wearing light clothes, while others were in down jackets. For lunch we went to Sno Cap Drive In in Sisters, recommended by a local we met while hiking, said to have the best burgers. Route navigation and basic info Search keyword Proxy Falls Trailhead Coordinates 44.1617856, -121.9278256 No formal parking lot but you can park along the roadside No signal at all, make sure to download offline maps in advance Trail overview Total distance 1.5 miles loop, very short Walking time about 30 to 45 minutes at a normal pace Suitable for kids and dogs The final section is more difficult if you want closer shots, you need to cross logs and step on mossy rocks, extremely slippery, proper shoes are necessary Highlights Upper Proxy Falls Just a quick stop, fairly ordinary, do not be disappointed yet Lower Proxy Falls Recommend walking clockwise, the forest atmosphere along the way is amazing Follow the sign to the lower falls and go all the way to the base No official trail, the final section requires climbing over logs and crossing small streams, feels like a jungle adventure