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Category Archives: Waterfalls

Lewis River

Last week, while we were camping, the girls and I went in search of a cool place. We drove down the Lewis River Road towards a bunch of waterfalls I saw on a map. We went as far as a day use area at the lower falls where a Forest Service employee turned us away saying that the parking lot was full and there no room for me to park. Hmm, this was on a Tuesday and seemingly, a long ways from anywhere. So we backtracked to the middle falls where there were also a lot of cars parked. Gosh. People were looking for a place to cool off just like us. So we ended up at the upper trailhead for the Lewis River Trail and walked downstream about a mile to the highest waterfalls. It was a beautiful sight but pretty dangerous with un-fenced overlooks that provided potential for falling dogs. Or people. I got a few photos before we backtracked to a shady beach by the river.

This pretty little plant is non-native. Lathyrus sp. Sort of a sweet pea.

Sweet Creek Falls

I had a chance to explore a little bit of western Oregon last week following a wedding near Eugene. You can see photos from the wedding here.

Afterwards, I visited my cousin at her place in Florence and of course, the girls (dogs) and I spent time at the beach, but the highlight may have been a hike with my cousin and her husband to Sweet Creek Falls. It’s a Forest Service trail near Mapleton and you can learn more about it here.

The falls are really worth the trip. It seemed that around every corner, there was another cascade of flowing water. I was glad I had packed a tripod and polarizing filter. They made all the difference in the world. Even though we were there in the mid-afternoon, the water was often shaded by the tall Douglas fir and maple trees that dominate western Oregon’s forests. Sweet wildflowers were sprinkled in with the thick ferns and other undergrowth.

Falls Creek Falls

My cousin and her husband came to visit from California last weekend. In addition to ‘doing’ Twisp and ‘doing’ Winthrop and visiting the puppy, I took them to Falls Creek Falls. It’s a pretty waterfall not too far from town with an easy walk to the base of it. A good place to take out of town visitors. Jim was prepared for moving water photography with his monopod but I forgot mine and also my tripod so I worked at leaning on trees and rocks to get a steady platform for my camera.

Their extended road trip also takes them to Palouse Falls so this was a nice prelude to that impressive sight!

Dorothy held Sky while I made photos
Jim was intent on getting good images of the creek
The water is lower than I’m used to it and I was able to climb up a little higher then I have before.

Snow-covered Falls Creek Falls

Last week MA and I and the four dogs skied to Falls Creek Falls. This is the same place I visited back in November when we could still drive there. Photos of that day are here. It is a very pleasant outing on classic cross country skis and during the week there was no snowmobile traffic. It is groomed for snow machines.

The falls are very frozen and also snow-covered so the interesting formations were buried. It was still quite beautiful. There was little color to the day except from Sky’s eyes and Frida’s fur.

The dogs enjoyed time on the trail and three out of four were willing to pose for a photo. Luna said no. She is an independent thinker.

We did this same trip a couple years ago when there was far less snow and Sky was still a pup. Photos from that day are here.

Cedar trees
The creek seen from the bridge downstream from the falls.

Frozen Falls Creek Falls

Yesterday was a lovely day to visit Falls Creek Falls. It is a short drive from Winthrop and I love to see it in any season. Never mind that the temperature was probably hovering around ten or that the sun had already descended beyond the mountains. The falls were incredibly beautiful and partially frozen and we could drive to the trail. So far there is not enough snow to close the road although there is enough that you might want four wheel drive.

Each section of the falls presented its own little vignette of ice and water. It was hard to decide where to point my camera next and when to stop. Part of the time, my feet in their warm pack boots, were partially submerged in the edge of the creek. My tripod had ice up to the top of the first section when I was done! Cold hands brought me to a finish before I was ready to be done.

This is the creek downstream from the falls at the road.
Ken made this picture of me when I was standing in the creek.

Here is another view of the falls in winter when we had to ski to the trailhead.

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