Finding Majestic Marion & Gatch Falls in Oregon

We can’t visit Oregon without visiting a waterfall. We especially love a good off-trail waterfall to have all to ourselves. So while visiting friends in Bend over Memorial Day weekend, we were finally able to cross off the elusive Marion Falls from our waterfall bucket list. (Fun fact: It’s only “elusive” to us because we actually tried to do this hike last year, but when we arrived at the trailhead Cory was literally too hungover to do it and we left. Pathetic, isn’t it?)

While completely sober, we arrived at the Marion Lake Trailhead in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness on a cloudy Memorial Day Monday.

We set off on the hike into a dense forest thick with old growth Mountain Hemlock. At about a half mile, the trail crosses into wilderness zone where mechanized travel is no longer allowed. Between the wilderness sign and Lake Ann, we started to gain some elevation with a few switchbacks up a steeper hill side.

In the last 100 yards before reaching Lake Ann, the trail follows the outlet creek which flows over dark volcanic rock which alludes to the long volcanic history of the Cascade Range.

Early in the season, the trail becomes part of the outlet creek, but it was easy to hop rocks over the flowing water. At some points we could hear the water flowing, but couldn’t see it because it was flowing beneath the surface level rocks.

Just pass Lake Ann the trail splits, one way goes to the west side of Marion Lake and the other the east side. We took the east side (right fork going up the trail) to find Marion Falls.

There is no sign on the trail marking the split to Marion Falls. The basic directions are: follow the trail for about 125-150 yards where there will be a small use trail heading off into the forest to the right. It’s not obvious, but if you’re looking for it, you’ll find it.

The small side trail heads down the hills side weaving through downed trees. Eventually you’ll see the creek below you, but do not go down to it, continue to the right and go downstream. Soon enough, you’ll hear the roar of Marion Falls, this is where the small use trail heads down very steep hill to a nice view point (be careful here as it can be extremely muddy and slippery from the waterfall spray).

Because it was early in the season, the water falls were raging. The spray from Marion Falls got everything in the open soaking wet. Every once in a while there would be a break in the clouds and some sunlight would be through, making from some dramatic lighting of the waterfall.

And of course, we had to make our way down to the base of the waterfall for an up close and personal view (with rain jackets on!).

What takes this particular waterfall from average to absolutely amazing is that it’s actually part of a cascade of two waterfalls! Continuing downstream on the use trail lead to a view of Gatch Falls, a shorter but wider waterfall below Marion Falls.

The view of both waterfalls at once was spectacular.

Like Marion Falls above, Gatch Falls was putting of some serious mist. Any step outside the protection of the trees would result in a soaking.

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We spent about an hour hanging out at Gatch Falls, taking pictures and appreciating the gorgeous view.

We finally climbed back up the hill and continued onto Marion Lake, where the trail does a loop along the lakes northern shore and connects back to the original fork. When we reached the lake, those clouds that had created the dramatic lighting were turning into rain. Near the outlet there was a bridge where we were able to spot some rising fish from! (We took a mental note for next time.)

The rain started coming down pretty hard, which is why there are no photos of Marion Lake. We took shelter under a tree to quickly eat lunch before heading back to the car. We got lucky and the rain stopped on our way down.

Marion and Gatch Falls have easily made it onto our list of favorite waterfalls. Photos don’t do this waterfall justice – it’s one best seen in person. And its off-the-beaten-path hiding spot makes it all the more sweeter.