Starting from North Falls, this backcountry loop takes the Perimeter Trail to the Buck Mountain Loop to a 0.4 mile road to the Rackett Ridge Trail. These trails are more popular with mountain bikers and horse riders than hikers. The Silver Falls Backcountry's forest is interesting at all times a year, but there are neither mountain views nor waterfalls on this route.

Activity Notes

Hike trails normally used mostly by mountain bikers and mounted horse riders on a fall Thursday when we should have it mostly to ourselves. Silver Falls is Oregon's largest state park, and you can view a large share of it on this hike. Because the hiking is so easy there, we will going a tick faster than usual; I've listed this as at least 2.5 mph.

The only waterfall we will see is North Falls, and then we will head onto the Perimeter Trail, a short segment of the Catamount Trail, the Buck Mountain Loop Trail, and finally the Rackett Ridge Trail to return to the Perimeter Trail and ultimately North Falls, for a clockwise lollipop loop that will total 17.2 miles, with 2,475' of gain and loss. The prior time I led this awesome hike most of the photos were of mushrooms. 

We are leaving the Tualatin Park & Ride at Bridgeport at 06:30. Expect to spend about seven hours on the trails. Every vehicle parked at North Falls will need to pay $10 or display an Oregon State Park day use pass. 

Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 55 miles
Driving Time from Portland 1 hours
Distance - Round Trip 17 miles
Expected Duration Car to car in one day
Relevant Books https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Silver_Falls_Perimeter_Loop_Hike
Relevant Maps https://www.oregonhikers.org/field_guide/Silver_Falls_Perimeter_Loop_Hike
Useful Links