The word Sahalie is a Chinook word meaning “Heaven.” It is the first of two falls, the second being Koosah or “Sky”, located along the McKenzie River just off Highway 126, a little over 30 miles from Sisters, Oregon. The two falls are connected by the scenic Waterfalls Loop Trail.
Sahalie Falls is a mass of foaming water that plunges 100’ over a natural lava dam.
While walking the short distance through the beautiful forest from the parking lot, we were serenaded by the ever-growing sounds from “Heaven”. The first thing that caught my eye, other than the water, was the lush moss covering the basalt rock, caused by the constant mist.