Early April at Silver Falls

Silver Falls State Park is one of my favorite places in Oregon. Last weekend we hiked the Canyon Trail, from South Falls to Upper North Falls, then the Rim Trail back to the South Falls parking lot. Reggie proposed to me at Upper North Falls, February 1982, so that's our favorite one.

These two pics are of South Falls, from the top of the trail:

When the trail turns back towards the falls, there's a little trail to take to see Frenchie Falls. Frenchie is one of the ones that's just a bare trickle come the end of summer:

Back to the South Falls trail on a rainy, April day:

Going behind the falls!

There are all kinds of volcano holes and crawl spaces and climbing nooks and crannies under here. Going all the way around and down is the bridge that loops up to the trail, and the picture from the bridge. This is one of the postcard places.

Next, the trail goes down the south fork of Silver Creek, way down to Lower South Falls.

I didn't get pics behind this waterfall -- we were getting wet, for the trail is right behind the water. It's wet and LOUD and fun!

The next big falls on the Canyon Trail is Lower North Falls. Even though many of the trees aren't leafed out yet, they are still green with moss and lichens.

This fall is on the way to Lower North Falls. There's a bridge to cross the creek on the trail leading to Lower North -- the bridges have all been replaced in the last few years, when severe winter storms have damaged the old ones.

Here's Lower North Falls!

Right after Lower North is a side trail to Double Falls. Double Falls is another one that's barely there in the late summer and fall:

Along the Double Falls trail was a patch of just-opened trillium:

Next comes Drake Falls, then Middle North Falls:

Next is the bridge leading to Winter Falls. This is the hardest one to see, later is a picture from the top on the Rim Trail. After the bridge comes Twin Falls, and some trail section with water features and skunk cabbage and more winter forest.

Next come North Falls. You can hear it way before you see it. There is lots of winter/spring green in the canyon, and many huge boulders, now moss and fern covered, that you know made a big noise and splash when they came down the waterfalls.

The salmon berries are starting to bloom! And here's another trillium:

Now comes North Falls -- big and noisy, with another passage behind the falls:

After going behind the falls, the trail climbs UP to the rim:

Next comes the short trail to Upper North Falls -- our favorite one, for that's where Reggie proposed to me in February 1982. :) There were still ice pellets from the snow/hail we got this week...

Then, the Rim Trail goes back along the top of the canyon, back to the South Falls area. It's a beautiful trail, with views looking back to North Falls, then the trail going down to Winter Falls (can see the very top and the very bottom, but have to hike down the trail to see the whole falls).

When we got back to South Falls parking lot, there was almost no one there. But there was a small herd of deer munching the wet grass.

So a wet, but fun, afternoon!

A Gorge hike - March 15

Last Saturday afternoon, Reggie and I went for a hike at John B. Yeon State Park. It's a day use area on the Columbia Gorge Historic Highway near Dodson. The main trails from here will take you to Upper McCord Falls, and the lower Elowah Falls. Looks like someone kicked off a shoe in the parking lot!

The trail goes up above the parking lot. It's a noisy trail -- right alongside Interstate 84, that you could hear trains and traffic constantly. Except when you were at the waterfalls, then rushing water was the only sound.

The trail starts out near a water tank, that was overflowing with the rains so far this year:

The different shades of green were amazing! With the weather gray and misty, and still early spring, there are already some flowers, but the ferns and mosses really stand out!

We took the trail first east, then went up the hill to Upper McCord Falls. Switchbacks going up the rock face, beautiful looking down at the ground with the new spring growth; wonderful views looking out, too.

It's amazing how much is growing on the rock walls. As you come around the bend in the trail going to the waterfall part, and you can see the rock wall on the other side, you are awed at the massiveness and the wildness of what is so close to Portland. Soon you come to the view of Elowah Falls, on the way up to Upper McCord Falls. Coming up and around on the trail, Upper McCord Falls is a gorgeous mix of waterfalls all coming together. The trail comes to an end here, though you can sort of follow up the creek a little ways. The little purple flowers' color stood out here, as we scrambled over rocks and a downed tree.

Heading back down the trail, it was just amazing how much was growing -- wild strawberry, wild ginger, the succulent, the mosses, the lichens...

We could see Elowah Falls getting closer as we hiked, and I put my poncho on for crossing the bridge!

We hiked on, as far as Moffett Creek, but did not cross, because of the time. The trail goes on up to the parking area for the trail that goes to Wachella Falls, but that'll be another trip. Here are some more photos from going back along the trail:

On the way back, we of course stopped at Multnomah Falls. The half moon was bright above the darkening gorge...

Good hike!