Visitors traveling on Highway 126 between the towns of McKenzie River and Sisters are encouraged to take a slight detour onto Highway 242, or McKenzie Pass Highway. While the major portion of this very curvy, mountain road is closed during the winter, those visiting during the summer or even early fall can thoroughly enjoy some incredible scenery while crossing McKenzie Pass. If they choose, they can also take a short hike into the woods where they can view two spectacular waterfalls that share one very unique feature. They both appear to go nowhere.

Upper Proxy Falls takes its 100 foot plunge into a small wading pool that's approximately 25 feet in diameter and never gets any larger than its present size. While the falling water appears to go nowhere, it's believed that the water escapes through porous lava that filled the valley thousands of years ago after the glaciers receded. No matter what, visitors find this small wading pool to be a great place to enjoy a spectacular view of Upper Proxy Falls while cooling off a bit from the hike.

Lower Proxy Falls, located about two-tenths of a mile away from Upper Proxy, is best viewed from the lookout nearby. Hikers can easily follow the signs to reach the viewpoint where a giant log has been placed to provide the best view of Lower Proxy. There is a smaller trail farther down giving a slightly better view, but it isn't very secure and therefore isn't recommended for inexperienced hikers. From the log, visitors can get a full view of Lower Proxy, also approximately 100 feet tall, and see again how the water seemingly goes nowhere.

The full loop to view both Upper and Lower Proxy Falls is only one mile long and is a fairly easy hike, with only a few steeper climbs along the way. The short turnoffs to both falls are clearly marked and easy to find. Visitors are encouraged to follow the trail signs, leaving the trailhead on Highway 242 to visit Lower Proxy, then Upper Proxy Falls. The trail is slightly easier this way. If visitors prefer a steeper hike, they can reverse the path as the steep parts of the hike head up towards Upper Proxy Falls. In either case, this is a place easily worth the time and spectacular to view. Be sure to stop by and see the falls that seemingly disappear at the bottom.

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