Gary-Summer: OR-South Falls

Showing posts with label OR-South Falls. Show all posts

Monday, January 16, 2023

January 16, 2023 - Silver Falls State Park

Title: January 16, 2023 - Silver Falls State Park
Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: SouthFalls Trailhead

Trail: South Falls Loop

Destination: Loop

Distance: 1.16 miles ¹

Start Time: 1:15

End Time: 2:07

Travel Time: 0:51 (1.37 mph)

Moving Time: 0:36 (1.94 mph)

Elevation Rise: 144'

Descent: 210‘

Maximum Elevation: 1,529'

GPS Tracks

Type: Hiking

Trail head: Winter Falls Trailhead

Trail: Winter Falls, Canyon Trail

Destination: None

Actual Destination: Lower North Falls

Distance: 2.92 miles ²

Start Time: 2:31

End Time: 4:30

Travel Time: 1:58 (1.48 mph)

Moving Time: 1:35 (1.84 mph)

Elevation Rise: 559'

Descent: 554‘

Maximum Elevation: 1,495'

GPS Tracks

¹This trail went under a rock shelf and a waterfall. I have manually removed distortions when the GPS could not contact its satellites to determine a correct position.

²This trail went under a rock shelf and a waterfall. I have manually removed distortions when the GPS could not contact its satellites to determine a correct position.

Description:

South Falls

It is the day which we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthday. Andrea has off, but Lawrence needs to go in. I woke up around 7, but stayed in bed until after Lawrence went to work. Then I got up, had my granola breakfast. Sherri, Andrea and Steven got up after 9:30. Another relaxed morning, well mostly. I think sometimes when a bunch of people are together for a while there are times of friction, which happened briefly this morning. But it did not hamper the overall day. We still enjoyed the rest of the day.

We got out of Andrea’s place a bit late, a little afternoon, and headed towards Silver Falls State Park with Andrea driving. Sort of nice to be able to observe the landscape without having to worry about the road. Andrea wants to stop at South Falls then head over to the Winter Falls area. Sounds good. Last June Andrea took us to South Falls and it was wonderful. So I do not mind seeing it again. This is Steven’s first time here. Hopefully he is as enchanted with this as I am.

Sherri, Andrea, and Steven

We walk to the top of the falls. Everything is wet-this is Oregon after all. After observing South Falls from the top, we go on down. This is where the wetness could be an issue as there are worn rocks on the way down to the falls. Fortunately the only thing we lose is our heart to the view. The trail goes behind the falls for a singularly exceptional view. Last time I was here, I thought this is one of the most marvelous things I have seen. Seeing it a second time does not diminish this thought.

South Falls and Steve, Sherri and Andrea

Winter Falls

We come up the trail back to the edge of the creek lip and take one last look at South Falls. Then it is onward to some covered picnic tables. Yep, it is time to have lunch, even though it is approaching 2pm. It is nice getting out of the dampness.

But we still have some more hiking to do. The main trail Andrea would like to take us on is to go down to Winter Falls. So she drives us up to the parking area and there is a space for us. The trail to the falls leads us down-why does it seem like all Oregon trails to falls lead you down rather than up to start with? Well, this is not too bad. Still it is a bit of a down. But then after 10 minutes we see Winter Falls. These falls are not spectacular, but in their simplicity there is beauty. We take many pictures here.

Middle North Falls

Then Andrea leads us on further down the trail. We soon get to the North Fork of Silver Creek and take a left to head west. I thought we might go to the right to the Upper Falls, But then again I am not the one who knows this park, so I am content to follow Andrea’s lead. Another ten to fifteen minutes gets us to the Middle North Falls. These falls remind me of the South Falls. We take a side trail which wraps us around the backside of the falls, just like South Falls. Unlike South Falls, it does not continue on beyond the falls. Still it is so unusual for us to be looking out through the falls, seeing the trees through water. We live in a wonderful world.

A little ways further down the trail we came to Drake Falls. These falls are wide with a drop of 15 feet (GNIS says 27 feet), giving the look of a white wave. There is also little fallets coming down the sides of the banks around this fall as well.

Double Falls

Andrea has promised at least six falls today. By my count she owes us two more. So we travel down another quarter of a mile. Through a tangle of moss and trees, there is another set of falls, the Double Falls. When we get a clear view of the falls, there is an upper falls with a taller lower one. I study these falls for a while and wonder if there is water coming through the rock as well as over the top. Then again, it could just be the spray coming off the falls. It is interesting. There is some debris at the base which spoils a bit of the effect of the falls for me, still I like these falls just for the mystery.

Lower North Falls

It is starting to get late and Sherri is slowing down. Even though in one way, Double Falls can count at two, there is one more fall which Andrea would like us to see. So she starts to go back with Sherri, while Steven and I go forward about 300 yards further. When we turn around, there is the Lower North Falls. It is hard to get a complete view of these falls. Still they are pretty nice.

Steven and I start back up to catch up with Andrea and Sherri. Steven quickly outpaces me. I like to think it is because I stop to take a few pictures, but in reality, Steven is faster. I can tell my legs are not up to snuff on this. Plus it is uphill. On a slope I used to be able to climb very easily, I easily get tired. Still I do keep Steven mostly in sight. Going back up an already trode trail does give a whole new set of things to admire. Usually not the main views, but the little things. Different reflections on the water, a side to a tree with an interesting relief, or a stone having a different outline than when you passed by it before. Things to be reminded of.

I caught up to everybody at Winter Falls. And then it is a climb back to the car. We stopped at the North Falls parking area for the outhouse there. Then Andrea continues on to Mt Angel. This is a town which in my mind is similar to Solvang in California. Instead of Swedish, it has a German atmosphere. But it is late and the shops are not open, except for a place called Mt Angel Sausage Company. That is where we decide to have dinner. As the name implies, we had a platter of sausage so we could sample different kinds. All were good, some a bit more spicy than others.

Andrea had me drive back, more precautionary than anything else as all except me had a couple sips of beer. The one part of this was that I forgot I had my boots on. So my right boot comes off so I can push down on the proper pedals. We made it home a bit tired. Lawrence was appreciative of the plate from Mt Angel.. Then it is time to lounge until Lawrence and Andrea have their Yoga with Adrienne time. After that, it is time for bed-Andrea and Lawrence have work to go to.

Extra Photo's

South Falls

Middle North Falls

Looking through the Middle North Falls

Middle North Falls

Drake Falls

Double Falls

Lower North Falls

North Fork of Silver Creek

Friday, June 3, 2022

June 3, 2022 - Silver Falls State Park

Title: June 3, 2022 - Silver Falls State Park

Hike Info : Description : Extra Photo's : Animals : Flowers and Plants

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking

Trail head: South Falls Day-use Area

Trail: Canyon Trail and Maple Ridge Trail

Destination: Lower South Falls

Distance: 2.1-2.3 miles ¹

Start Time: 11:50

End Time: 3:00

Travel Time: ( mph)

Moving Time: ( mph)

Elevation Rise: 1,118'

Descent: 1,119‘

Maximum Elevation: 1,481'

Car Mileage: 50 miles

GPS Tracks

¹I did not turn on the GPS. The information above includes coming from the park map as well as from tracing the route on Google Earth. I have my doubts about the actual elevation gain/loss data.

Description:

I think I was tired after yesterday’s drive. I slept in until 7:30. Both Sherri and Andrea are asleep-Lawrence has gone to work, so I putter around a bit. Mostly writing up stuff, such as our travels from the last couple of days until Sherri and Andrea get up.

Upper South Falls

My breakfast is granola, which I enjoy. Then we talked for a little while and got ready for a hike. Andrea has a place she wants to show us-Silver Falls State Park. I am a bit concerned about the weather, but Andrea thinks we should be OK. Our first stop is getting gas from Costco, then we are off to Silver Falls. This is about a 45 minute drive. We park in the South Falls parking area-I thought we might be going to the Winter or North Falls trailhead, but that is why I am not the tour guide. Andrea says that on weekends, the parking lot is packed.Today it is about three-quarters full.

We make use of the restrooms at the trailhead-nice ones,spacious-before starting out. The trail starts off high, looking down onto South Falls. They are beautiful. It is a good reminder that my part of the world does not have a monopoly on beauty. There is the appropriate oohs and ahhs on Sherri’s and mine part. To my surprise, this is not the best and that is yet to come.

Upper South Falls from the side

The trail descends to the falls. And then it goes behind it. Wow! This is like what you see in the travel photos, being able to see through the falls. I think the geology of the area must be the key to how that came about. If it is like other similar falls, there must be a hard top layer of rock with an underside of softer sediments. But then what do I know? This is my brother’s area of expertise. Whatever the reason, I am in awe of it.

After going behind South Falls, the trail comes down to the level of the Silver River. The path gently descends as it goes through a scene of green, so unlike what I am used to. I think I could walk this path forever. This must be something which Eden must have been like. I suspect that this area may contain only one aspect of Eden-I wonder what the whole Eden package would look like.

Upper South Falls from the side

A short way further, we stop for lunch-there is a nice bench to sit on. Not that we have gone far yet, it is just relaxing sitting here, soaking in the beauty around us. Occasionally someone will go by. After about 20 minutes, we continued on our way.

Andrea and Sherri hiking

The trail is fairly level until we come close to Lower South Falls. Then it descends about 150’. This is very similar to the Upper South Falls. Only thing is we go through a sea of ferns making the trip down much more like a tropical jungle scene, sans the snakes hanging from trees. There is an atmosphere of lushness before us. Like the Upper Falls, the trail leads us behind the falls. And then up the east side of the Silver Creek. Am I becoming inured by these falls? On one hand, they are so refreshing and make me just stand and gaze at them. But are they getting to be expected now that I have seen two of them? Hopefully I will always have that appreciation of awe of what the Father has put before us.

The bad part of this trail is that now we have seen the Lower South Falls, we need to contend with the trail. If you notice the word Lower in the name. That means we need to go back up to be on top of the Upper one where the parking lot is. The good part is that we are not very high up, altitudenly. But there is a thousand foot climb ahead of us. For an old man out of shape, this means something to me. Still Andrea leads us up at a reasonable pace for me-probably pretty slow for her. So glad she is patient with us.

Lower South Falls

We stop often. Occasionally we meet a few people, like some teenagers or young 20 year olds who are wondering how far to the falls. I really hate that kind of question. Shows ignorance. But today, it is a good time for all of us to put on our “superior” guide hats and talk about the options of the trails. They go on to the Lower Falls.

The trek up is gradual, and like I said we take our time, stopping for whatever interests us: flowers, bugs, and ferns seem to be the main attractions. We get done with the main uphill in pretty good shape. Then it is walking along the top. Which right now seems a bit long, but that is probably me being out of condition.

When we get to the brickwork part of the trail, I know we are close to the car-I am thankful. We take care of business and Andrea drives us back to her place. I would feel guilty about sleeping while she is driving-probably an old man father guilt thing. I do shut my eyes for a few seconds here and there.

When Lawrence comes in from work-poor guy-we go out to eat at a place called Epilogue. Just from the face of it, it is pretty liberal. The windows are splashed with slogans, along with the light pole outside. We prefer to eat outside, even in the cold. They are set up for it. The waitress is pleasant and efficient in taking our order. And the food lives up to its billing of good eats. We devour all. As a note: a couple of days after we left Salem, somebody must have taken offense to Epilogue’s liberal leanings as they defaced a lot of their stuff.

After this, we watch a couple movies-Jurassic Park and go to bed.