I picked my son up from school a little early on Thursday and we high tailed it up to Sisters, Oregon. One of the things I love most about summer is the longer days which gives way for longer adventures! We arrived in Sisters and dropped by a local store to pick up last minute snacks before our walk into the Three Sisters Wilderness. We have some pretty long hikes on our radar right now so we are trying to start increasing our length of hikes slowly and this was a good way to start.
The trailhead is located only 20-25 minutes or so outside of Sisters, OR and is a very rad hike with three gorgeous waterfalls. From downtown Sisters head south on Elm St. which is also Road 16. Now set your odometer for 7.2 miles and take a right on Road 1514 which is all gravel. Follow this road which will give you amazing views of Middle and North Sister for 5 miles and turn left right before a bridge on Road 600. (You’ll see a yellow “One Lane Bridge Ahead” sign and take a left just before it.) Now follow Road 600 for about a mile or so to the end of the road and the trailhead for Chush Falls. Make sure you fill out the self issuing wilderness permit at the trailhead which is free and slip it into the box. Always a good idea to help rescuers in case of an emergency.
This trail is around 3.5 miles give or take depending on how much you want to do. The first part of the trail is a hike down an old forest road for 1.5 miles in the middle of a forest left with scars from forest fires of the past. Whychus Creek roars down below and every once in awhile peaks out from the trees gurgling and crashing below. At 1.5 miles you’ll see a sign post with a simple sign that says “trail” pointing left. Follow this trail to the left for another mile to Chush Falls. You’ll have to scramble down a steep boot path to the bottom to get good views of the falls. There are multiple boot trails down and I will tell you for certain the main one that is the most obviously used is actually not the safest or the best way down! Look for a little trail that goes off to the right and make sure you check rocks, footing and roots before putting all your weight on them! One mistake and you’ll be down to the bottom in a hurry.. My 10 year old made it down relatively easy but some parts on his butt. Chush Falls is absolutely splendid. Perhaps 100 feet wide! I read it was 80 feet wide but it sure looks bigger than that when you are down in front of it! It was very hard to get a decent slow shutter shot down here due to the massive spray the falls let out. Chush Falls used to be named Squaw Creek Falls and I’ve heard that maybe it was named that because it kind of resembles a ladies hair if she was turned away from you. I don’t know how true that is but in 2005 it was renamed to Chush Falls which means “water” in the Sahaptin dialect for political correctness reasons. I’m part Native American and I don’t see a problem with Squaw Creek Falls but whatever clever…
After you scramble back up there is a sign that says “End of Trail”. Well thats not quite the case. You can see an obvious path that continues on up river. What could be up that way? More waterfalls of course! Only another quarter of a mile or so will bring you to the Middle Falls. You stand on a cliff looking down on Middle Falls and also where Park Creek enters into the Whychus Creek. A breathtaking view indeed! Oh but theres more!
Continue on another quarter of a mile or so and you will come out of the trees to an amazing view of The Cascades or Upper Chush Falls pouring over the mountain side into the Whychus canyon below. This was probably my favorite view! Be careful again hiking off the trail and up cliffs here as the ground is very slick and the rocks are very crumbly so please use caution. This is your turn around point to head back the way you came. After you finish up and return to your car it’s time to head back into one of my families most favorite towns in Oregon for some Three Creeks Brewery grub and brews! Cheers and happy adventuring!
Ghost Rogue Adventures 
Looks like a fun hike! Have you done Canyon Creek Meadows up to the base of Three Fingered Jack? It’s a good one, especially followed by burgers and beer and Three Creeks Brewery.
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