Thirty yards after crossing the bridge, reach the Kopetski-Stony Creek Trail Junction and keep left. The Kopetski Trail #4187 leads right across a long footbridge over the alder-shaded turquoise pools of the Little North Santiam River. The road levels again, and a sign indicates the Kopetski-Jawbone Flats Trail Junction. There are more cascades on the Little North Santiam to the right. Before a decrepit wooden shed, take a short trail that leads to the river and the Cascada de los Ninos (or Sawmill Falls). Look for relics of the mining era, such as a boiler and smelter, and walk past a picnic table. A road turnout leads right into the area where equipment from the Merten Mill lies abandoned. Descend and the trail levels to cross several small creeks. At the top of the rise, a spur leads right to an overlook. Pass an old adit as the road levels and then rises. The road bed drops and passes along the recently redesigned вЂњhalf-bridgesвЂќ in a steep-sided canyon, the Little North Santiam rushing way below. The road rises to the Whetstone Mountain-Jawbone Flats Trail Junction, the former trail an old jeep track, FR 2209-330, leading up to the left. Cross the Gold Creek Bridge and view the cascades and pool in the chasm below. Look down the slope for massive Douglas-firs several hundred years old. Salal and Oregon grape form the understory as the road drops.

Head past the gate at the trailhead and walk along the road in an ancient forest of Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, and western hemlock. The track is used by the residents and guests of Jawbone Flats only, so it is not likely that you will encounter any vehicles. You can shorten the time and distance of this hike by riding a sturdy bicycle in to the Kopetski-Jawbone Flats Trail Junction or as far as Jawbone Flats and hiking from there.ДЇor the first part of this hike, you will be traveling on a gravel road. While none of this hike is in the federally-designated Opal Creek Wilderness, it is all part of the adjacent Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area: the jurisdiction for both areas became law in September 1996 after a 16-year battle to curtail Forest Service plans to log the drainage. You can make the return via the historic company town of Jawbone Flats, now part private environmental education center and part outdoor museum. Above the pellucid emerald splendor of the Opal Pool, you can branch off from the popular lollipop loop and take a new alignment of the Kopetski Trail up Opal Creek's east bank to the ancient groves at Cedar Flats. You will travel through magnificent old growth, gaze upon the dazzling turquoise waters of the Little North Santiam, and view part of the mining history and artifacts of Little North Santiam Mining District. Please check current closures in the Willamette National Forest before planning an outing.ДЄlthough the beginning of this hike is not a trail, after visiting here you may consider it one of the most scenic roads you will ever walk upon. NOTICE: Trails in this area were affected by the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire.

Opal creek