Pillar Falls Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Fishing · Geological Significance · Historical Significance · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

There is a portable toilet at the parking lot on Pole Line and Eastland.

The trail begins off a dead end section along Pole Line Road. The former small parking area adjacent to trailhead is on private property and has been removed/closed. There is parking and portable toilets at the large lot at the corner of Pole Line and Eastland. This will add another half mile round trip to your hike, if you park here. Do not park in front of houses. This is private property and the owners will be very upset.

The trail starts off by quickly losing elevation on a steep slope into the canyon. It switches back and forth several times alongside a drainage that usually has water flowing from spring into summer. In fall and winter, the flow is usually negligible. At peak flow, the stream is quite impressive.

The trail continues down toward the river. It levels out for a bit and forks. The left fork will take you down to a nice waterfall and pump station. The waterfall is impressive, especially in the spring. It turns into a trickle later on in the year. The right fork takes you over to Pillar Falls, which is an impressive series of rapids scattered among large pillar-like islands. The trail fades before getting down to the river, but it is still accessible if you are feeling adventurous. The area around the riverbanks is quite lush and magical. Unfortunately, previous visitors have left a lot of trash and debris behind. Sometimes people camp down here, which adds to the detritus. Still, it is a remarkable area, very much worth the visit.

Hawks, songsbirds, fish, squirrels