Behind the Waterfall
A NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS OF SILVER FALLS MEMBERS
Team Silver Falls 2024
Silver Falls State Park: True Love?
by Mike Niemeyer, Board President
In the “A” parking lot recently I encountered a gentleman and his adult daughter who were returning from a hike along the rim trail. I don’t remember what got the conversation started, I often ask visitors how their hike went. He was eager to explain that it was the anniversary of his wife’s death and that every year on this day he visits her favorite place in the park to honor and remember her. “She really loved this park and had one spot that was her favorite”, he said.
As a park “Trail Ambassador” I often hang out at the top of South Falls to help answer questions from Park visitors. Like the man mentioned above, it doesn’t take much prompting for visitors to share why this place is meaningful to them. For some, it was their first date together, the place where they got engaged, or the place where they got married.
For some, Silver Falls is also the place to find the perfect partner. Love wearing pumpkin heads while visiting Silver Falls? Like to hike with Parrots? You just might find that person here.
Photo is from a training exercise
First Date? I’ve heard different theories about first-date locations. One suggestion is to meet at a coffee shop first where you can make a quick and graceful exit when it’s clear this is not the person for you. Not recommended: Letting your date talk you into a “shortcut” off the canyon trail, as one young woman did. As the fire department was tending to her ankle injury, she whispered that this was a first date and that there wouldn’t be a second.
A hiker finds himself in a wedding procession at the top of South Falls. (Note, this was likely an unpermitted “pop-up” wedding venue. Please check with the Park first!)
Weddings are a frequent occurrence at the park picnic shelters, Ranch buildings or Smith Creek village. On Saturdays, we might see several weddings at the same time. (One visitor asked me if other weddings were going on in the park, explaining that he was a few minutes into the ceremony when he realized he was at the wrong wedding.)
Lacking access to social media, the rough-skinned Newt must annually migrate to the creeks and ponds at Silver Falls to find a compatible partner.
What about you? Do you have a story of true love at Silver Falls?
Outside Safe Space
by Chelsea Sims, Administrator
The Nature Store now sells some very special pins, stickers, and patches. Outside Safe Space is a company that works to promote inclusive, welcoming outdoor spaces for all. Friends of Silver Falls and Oregon State Parks are continuously working to create an inclusive park that gives visitors, staff, & volunteers a sense of belonging.
From the Founder, Mikah Myer:
Have you ever asked yourself, “Is it safe to hold my significant other’s hand here?” LGBTQ+ people are regularly assessing if spaces are welcoming, even more so in outdoor and rural places that have traditionally been less welcoming than urban bubbles. To remedy this, Outside Safe Space created a symbol that can be worn on gear to communicate someone is an ally. While no one person can solve homophobia, this is an easy action one person can take to help.
Tree Symbolism:
Rainbow Flag
Trans Flag
Bi Flag
Triangles for all queer identities
Skin tone tree trunk as the foundation since all of the above exist in diverse people
Star Party 2024
By Kim Maley, Park Interpreter
The Silver Falls State Park Star Party is an annual event coinciding with the Perseid Meteor Showers. What are the Perseids, you might ask??
Short answer:
The Swift-Tuttle comet orbits the Sun, leaving behind a path of debris (not unlike a toddler). The Earth’s orbit runs into these space debris trails every year around August 12th. Pieces of these comet particles sometimes enter our atmosphere and burn up. From our perspective, these look streaks of light across the night sky.
Long answer here
Every year, Silver Falls State Park keeps one section of the park open to allow visitors to view these meteor showers and experience the night sky from a Silver Falls vantage point. Night Sky 45 Astronomy club is invited to bring their telescopes and their knowledge to the park and allow visitors to view and learn about some of the celestial bodies. Always a memorable experience!
The event, however, begins long before the stars come out! Friends of Silver Falls volunteers Jan Dobias and Mike Van hosted a Discovery Table to engage visitors with information about space items like globular clusters and double stars and more…
Night Sky Astronomer Greg Cade brought his sun scope to provide visitors an up close and personal view of the sun.
The scale model of our solar system was strung out along the Rim Trail, offering visitors a sense of the relative sizes and distances of the planets in our solar system. Thank you to Oregon State Parks for having these annual displays printed on professional sign material!
As the evening approached, attention turned to Dark Sky topics. A bonus this year was a Park Ranger Assistant new to Silver Falls, but with an extensive background in astronomy. Park Ranger Assistant David C. was a highlight for me personally, as well as for many visitors fortunate to hear him speak about the different night sky objects!
Friends volunteers handed out star wheels, astronomy treasure hunts, and glow sticks. Visitors were also offered the opportunity to purchase night sky merchandise from the pop-up Nature Store. Purchases brought in a record-breaking $1,000! Dark Sky merchandise has grown in popularity this year as more visitors recognize the importance of preserving the night sky.
An emphasis at the event was on the importance of dark skies for wildlife, including insects and bird migration. Park Ranger Matt Palmquist hosted a Discovery Table illustrating how informed choices for light fixtures can make huge impacts to help wildlife adversely affected by light pollution. More information about Dark Sky International here
Thank you business sponsors!
Volunteer Appreciation Party
By Chelsea Sims, Administrator
Every September we have the opportunity to celebrate our amazing volunteers who give numerous hours to Silver Falls State Park. Oregon State Parks and Friends of Silver Falls partner up on this event to gather ALL our volunteers.
These wonderful folks greet visitors, lead field trips and hikes, clean cabins and trails, maintain equipment, assist injured or lost hikers, attend board meetings, and so much more! Parks rely heavily on the generosity of these individuals and we are always thrilled to spend this day playing games, swapping stories, and giving back a portion of what they give to this park.
This year, we had a casino-themed party with games like coin flip, plinko, roulette of fortune, war, and rock paper scissors. Chips were exchanged for prizes, and awards were given out to those who contributed 100+ and 200+ hours. Volunteers bring so much positivity to the park and that has formed a special community which is welcoming, fun, and supportive.
Campground Closure
Sep 16, 2024 – Jun 30, 2025
Silver Falls campground and cabins 19, 21, 23, and 24 are closed to replace the B-Loop restroom and to repave the A-Loop. The closure began Sept. 16, 2024 with the goal of reopening in the summer of 2025.
During the closure, all other park facilities remain open, including all trails, trailheads, day-use areas, South Falls Nature Store, Smith Creek Village, South Falls Lodge and Cafe. Cabins 1-10 in the Cabin Loop will remain open for reservations as well.
Upcoming Events & Invitations
Run Wild: Nov. 1st-3rd
Run Wild Adventures is hosting several trail runs November 1st-3rd. 2,500 runners from over 30 states will participate in various races throughout the weekend. Visit runwildadventures.com/register/ to sign up. A portion of registration fees is donated back to the park through Friends of Silver Falls!
December Member Special
Members get 20% off purchases at the Nature Store and the online store for the entire month of December!
Twelve-month Oregon State Park passes are also $5 off everywhere they are sold.
Winter Festival Returns: Dec. 14th-15th
Join us for the annual Silver Falls Winter Festival. Celebrate the beauty of winter by making a wreath, joining a guided hike, building a bird nest box, and more! You’ll also have the chance to collect the 2024 commemorative Silver Falls wood cookie ornament. All activities are FREE; parking is $5 per vehicle.
First Day Hikes: Jan. 1st
Kickoff the new year at Silver Falls! Guided hikes will be offered January 1, 2025. More information is coming soon!
