'This is awesome'

SILVERTON, Ore. (AP) - As Rylan Peters stood in the spray-filled cavern behind 177-foot South Falls on a recent weekend, wearing a rain poncho and holding a hiking stick, he echoed the sentiment of so many children who visit Silver Falls State Park.

"This place is awesome!" the 8-year-old said, taking a moment to explore into a small, satisfyingly dirty cave with his 6-year-old brother Noah.

As the rain and snow season descends on the Willamette Valley, the options for parents seeking to get their children into the fresh air diminish. But one fortunate thing about living in Salem is the proximity of excellent trails open year-round that lead to waterfalls eliciting the same "this is awesome!" response.

Yes, it might be raining and cool. And yes, mud is always a given.

But rain and mud and waterfalls are the stuff childhood is made of in Western Oregon and - if the hike is short - it won't be long until you're back in the car drinking hot chocolate.

Listed below are the top five kid-centric waterfall hikes within an easy drive of Salem (about 70 minutes), mostly in the Cascade foothills and Santiam canyons (north and south).

The hikes are open year-round except during the worst snowstorms. Check the snow level if you're unsure, but all hikes are at or below 2,000 feet and don't usually see much white stuff.

A few recommendations include bringing snacks, water, rain gear and a change of clothes for the ride back. See the info box for a detailed breakdown and directions to each location.

5) Butte Creek Falls

These two waterfalls just outside the tiny hamlet of Scotts Mills are both stunners - though in different ways - and require only a quick and easy hike.

A 1.5-mile loop heads into temperate rainforest and, starting the loop going left, reaches 78-foot Butte Creek Falls dropping into a small pool viewed overhead from the trail.

Just beyond, staying left on another side trail, Upper Butte Creek Falls drops small (26 feet), wide (40 feet) and pretty into a small splash pool. Paths lead behind the falls into the deep grotto.

4) Henline Falls

Statesman Journal columnist and expert father-with-kids hiker Eric Gjonnes called Henline Falls Trail No. 3348 the perfect rainy-day hike.

It's not hard to see why.

The hike is two miles round-trip, climbing just 200 feet through evergreen forest carpeted with ferns and moss, to the 126-foot vertical curtain of Henline Falls.

Stay left at a junction on the trail at mile 0.5 until you reach the falls plunging into a shallow emerald pool.

The abandoned Silver King Mine is just to the right of the falls.

3) Shellburg Falls

The overlooked little brother of more famous Silver Falls State Park is home to three waterfalls - including one 100-footer - small crowds and dog-friendly trails. It's the quickest drive among the five hikes.

The trek begins on an old gated road, passing farmland that usually has a few cows grazing, before winding up into the dense, temperate rainforest, where wildflowers can be found in spring.

At mile 1.3 the old road passes over a concrete bridge and just above lower Shellburg Fall's 40-foot plunge.

Turn left and you'll shortly arrive at the main attraction, Shellburg Falls, a 100-foot waterfall where you can hike behind the falls in a narrow, dark cave. A side trail brings you down to the grotto at the waterfall's base.

It's a roughly 3 mile hike out-and-back.

2) McDowell Creek Falls Park

Whether it's the lack of notoriety or remote location, the feeling you get arriving at McDowell Creek Falls Park is that of stumbling upon a hidden gem.

Located 10 miles north of Sweet Home, the unassuming park is home to four spectacular waterfalls found on an easy, fun, trail home to unique bridges and viewing platforms. Dogs on leashes are welcome.

The 1.8-mile loop passes Royal Terrace Falls, Majestic Falls and Crystal Pool.

There's a map at the trailhead and the trails are well maintained.

1) Silver Falls State Park

It's entirely possible that enraged citizens brandishing pitchforks and torches might descend on the offices of the Statesman Journal if Silver Falls State Park wasn't named No. 1 on this list.

Local pressure notwithstanding, Oregon's largest state park certainly deserves the accolades. The Trail of Ten Falls negotiates a canyon where 100-foot waterfalls seem to grow from the basalt walls.

The full 10-mile trail is probably too much for most kids, so consider a few different options.

The loop from the main parking area, down behind South Falls, across the wooden footbridge and back up is about 1 mile. Another option is continuing to Lower South Falls and coming back up for a 3-mile loop.

A final easy, kid-friendly hike is starting at the North Falls Trailhead and heading down to enjoy a waterfall that launches itself off the cliff like a thick white rope, then heading upstream to check out Upper North Falls.

Make sure to warm up from your winter adventures at South Falls Lodge.

Not that bribing children is necessary to get them on the trail, but the promise of hot chocolate and a cookie following the hike is a nice incentive.

Especially if it's raining.