Oregon State Archives: A 1940 Journey Across Oregon

COOPEY FALLS, 161.9 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction], according to Indian legend is at the site of a battle of giants.

"Of all the major waterfalls along the Historic highway, this is the only one that you won't find unless you look. The falls are located behind a convent owned by the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, which is private property. However, the book "A waterfall lover's guide to the Pacific Northwest" states that the sisters openly invite visitors to visit the falls via a path leading from the parking lot in front of the convent. Please be sure to ask permission to view the falls before you head up to them."

"Coopey Falls is owned by OPRD, but is hidden from the view by vegetation, except during the winter."

April 28, 2020

When the leaves are down, if you know where to look, the falls are visible from the highway. However, the view is partially blocked by the Jacobson Mansion, and what you can see is not very clear. I do have a photo from the highway that I will share once I get my hard drives back, in a couple months, most likely.

At one point, according to the quote below, the falls were clearly visible from the Angel's Rest Trail, but from what I understand, that is no longer the case.

"[On the Angel's Rest trail, in the late 1960s,] at one-fourth mile the trail crosses a rockslide and then follows the edge of a ridge above Coopey Falls. Just before coming to the falls, the trail branches, but either branch can be taken as they again become one trail a short distance later. A good view of the falls can be had from the left branch."

"Most people who see Coopey Falls see a very limited view of it on the way up the Angels Rest Trail. The viewpoint is at the first obvious stopping point along the way. There is a spur trail down to the left just past this open area that takes you down to the top of the falls. While this doesn't improve your view of Coopey Falls, it gives you a nice vantage point of Coopey Creek and upstream toward Upper Coopey Falls."

Video (By Others...)

Links

CLICK HERE to continue exploring the highway