Plaikni Falls Trail - Crater Lake National Park

We found a relatively new trail to hike during our August 2013 visit to Crater Lake National Park.  The Plaikni Falls Trail was opened to the public in 2011.  The trail head is located about 1 ¼ miles down Pinnacles Road from its junction with East Rim Drive.  A small paved parking area including a couple of handicap accessible spots was developed in conjunction with the trail.  There are no restroom or picnic facilities at this parking area.  The 1.1 mile trail consists of a wide packed crushed stone or dirt surface.  There are several turnouts for wheelchairs along the route and a few benches have been provided as well. Several portions of the trail also have a stone curbing.  The route passes through an open old-growth conifer forest before skirting the base of a bluff on the way to a 20-foot waterfall on Sand Creek.  This is the same creek that carved the Pinnacles Valley just a few miles downstream.  While most of the trail is relatively flat, the park service warns that "the first ¾ of the way is accessible to wheelchair users with assistance, but the final ascent to the falls might be too steep."  This trail was designed as a quiet, peaceful alternative to the crowds along the rim trails and the designers met their goal.  Until the trail was constructed, the waterfall was not officially named.  The park service and the local Klamath tribe applied for the name "Plaikni" to be used.  The root meaning of the Klamath word "plai" indicates that the stream came from the upper or higher country.  Our visit to the falls was cut short by an afternoon thunderstorm that included pea-sized hail.  While the forest provided some protection from the hail, the canopy is not complete by any stretch of the imagination.  The rain quickly swamped the trail in several low places and turned it into a makeshift stream in others.  While walking sticks wouldn't be required at all under better conditions, they were very handy on the return to the parking area.  Even with the rain, this was a lovely hike to a picturesque location that is now accessible to almost any visitor to the park.

Trail head

Typical trail surface through the open forest

One of several wheelchair pullouts along the trail

The trail crosses an old dirt road where wood benches have been unloaded

The trail is easy to follow without signs or blazes

Note the stone curbing as the trail approaches the base of the bluff

The trail stays well away from the bluff and any falling rocks

The forest gives way to a rock strewn slope

The trail continues through the forest...

...with great views of the bluff

Along this section, the forest provided very little protection from the hail

Another wheelchair pullout marks the beginning of the side slope climb to the waterfall

This section of the trail may be too steep for visitors with mobility issues

Undergrowth abounds along the creek

Sand Creek valley

Even this close to the end of the trail, the waterfall is barely visible

Wildflowers were abundant along the creek

While the trail ends at this lower landing, steps are provided to another vantage point

Plaikni Falls from the lower landing

Plaikni Falls from the upper viewing area

Plaikni Falls

Sand Creek below the falls

A $10 vehicle pass is valid for seven consecutive days at Crater Lake National Park.  Another option is to purchase the America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass valid for one year for $80.  A lifetime Senior Pass is available for $10 for those 62 years of age or older.