Finding waterfalls

Proxy Falls is a local jewel, a touch of "green" Oregon. photo by David Banks When you say Oregon, most people think of emerald green forests, huge trees, moss covered rocks and people doing things out in the rain.

We don't have much of the damp stuff in the high desert of Central Oregon -- one of many reasons to live in Sisters.

From Sisters, however, hikers can easily experience the "green Oregon" with an exceptional bonus: waterfalls!

Waterfalls are one of nature's most stimulating -- and cooling -- performances. We have three beauties in our backyard that make for a scenic and child-pleasing outing that can provide exercise, if you want.

Proxy Falls: Drive over the 5,325-foot McKenzie Summit on Highway 242, past the Dee Wright Observatory, lava flows and mountain views and look a mile past the Alder Springs campground for the roadside parking near Proxy Falls. You can also get there from the west side, via Highway 126 (snow permitting in winter).

If there is such thing as a 10 on the Oregon waterfall scale, Proxy rates it. This spot embodies Oregon. Hike the .8-mile access loop in the spring and you'll duck through wild, blooming Rhododendrons. This time of year, you'll simply enjoy the fairyland-like setting of moss, flowers, bear grass, lava and giant old growth timber full of jays and magpies.

Proxy showers over 200 feet into a small pool and Proxy Creek. You can scramble to the falls and touch the sparkling water. A short hike leads to Upper Proxy Falls. Upper Proxy splits in two and trickles down to a suitable-for-wading pond.

Settle this mystery in the car while you drive about eight miles to Highway 126. Turn right and head 12 miles to the well-marked Koosah Falls exit.

An asphalt path winds through a fine WPA-style rock and timber viewing area with an informational kiosk and benches. The McKenzie River gushes over about 100 feet of cliff, roars, pauses in a bubbling, frothy pool and moves on downhill, blue as can be.

This show is repeated about a half mile up river at Sahalie Falls. Sahalie (Chinook for "high") is 140 feet tall and really thunders. The view spots take you up very close and are perfect for pictures. When the sun is just right, you get a rainbow in the fall's mist. You can picnic here.

Now for the exercise part. A 10-minute hike gets you from Sahalie to Koosah (or vice versa) on the McKenzie River trail. This is a very picturesque hike best undertaken in dry weather -- unless you are unaffected by rain, like a true Oregonian.

The drive back to Sisters takes about 30-45 minutes.