A Winter Hike to Dry Creek Falls

This winter the mountain snowfall has been slow to come.  Our local ski resorts, which are usually open by mid to early December, stayed closed until nearly Christmastime.  Although the mountains got moisture in early January, it fell as rain, shrinking what little snowpack they had.

What's a bunch of die-hard skiers to do?  Go take a hike!

Bridge over Herman Creek

So one day in early January I rallied my skiing and hiking friends Young and John, as well as my dear hubby, for a hike in the Columbia River Gorge.

Lovely Herman Creek

Not only had this winter's unseasonably warm and rainy weather been tough on the snowpack, it also wreaked havoc in the Columbia River Gorge.  A series of "atmospheric rivers" (torrential amounts of warm rain) in December triggered landslides which damaged several Gorge trails.  Luckily, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) near the town of Cascade Locks was still intact, and became my hike of choice for the day.  The plan was to travel westward from the Herman Creek Trailhead, intercept the PCT and follow it to Dry Creek Falls, a lovely cascade located at the end of an impressive basalt canyon.

Fern-lined trail

After a week of nearly constant rainfall, the day of my hike dawned to cloudy, but dry skies.  The forecast called for rain later in the day, so my friends and I made sure to bring rain jackets and covers for our backpacks just in case.  From the trailhead, we sauntered for a mile through a forest full of large ferns and moss-covered trees.

Brilliant green moss brightened the forest

Our trail brought us downhill to a crossing of Herman Creek via a large wooden bridge.  From mid-span my friends had a great vantage of the water below.  Swollen by recent rainfall the creek was churning mightily, swirling around large boulders, a beautiful chaos of blue and white rapids.

Foggy mountains rose above us

From the bridge it was an uphill slog to our junction with the PCT.  Although the distance was probably only a half mile, it seemed to take forever.  Good thing there was a lovely, mossy forest to distract us from our misery.

Photo ops from the trail

Once we reached the PCT it was a fairly level trek through several talus slopes and foggy woods.  In one area tall, green mountains towered prominently above the trail.  In another the trees parted to give cloudy peek-a-boo views of the Columbia River.

Hikers in action

After a bit of walking my friends and I came to a creek crossing the trail.  Although there wasn't a bridge or a log to use, the creek was small enough we could make it across with a bit of creative rock hopping.

Crossing a small creek

Looking uphill of the crossing, I could see a waterfall sandwiched in the narrow canyon above.  This cascade was called Pacific Crest Falls, the name a nod to the trail in which its outflow crossed.

Pacific Crest Falls

Just around the bend from the creek crossing was an interesting area where several large pointed rock pillars rose mysteriously above the trail.  These unusual formations were called the "Herman Creek Pinnacles."  Thick fog in the area gave the pinnacles an especially ghostly atmosphere.

Foggy Herman Creek Pinnacles

After a few photos of this most unusual area, my friends and I continued down the PCT.  There were a few up and downs and more mossy woods cloaked in thick fog.  But lucky for us, the skies were staying dry so far.

It was a very foggy day!

There are two ways to access Dry Creek Falls.  One is from the east, taking the PCT from the Herman Creek Trailhead (our day's chosen hike) and the other, shorter route, following the PCT from the west trailhead at Cascade Locks.  Naturally, the shorter route was much more popular.  

Back along the trail

My friends and I hadn't encountered many hikers thus far, but this all changed once we reached the junction with the short side trail to Dry Creek Falls.  After crossing Dry Creek via an elaborate wooden footbridge, we took the spur trail uphill to the waterfall.  This trail was full of people, all coming from the west, and all heading for the same destination.

Taking the side trail to Dry Creek Falls

Dry Creek Falls is one of the Gorge's many spectacular waterfalls.  Located in the end of a tall canyon of columnar basalt, its approach is most dramatic.  Recent heavy rainfall had washed a huge pile of logs into the creek directly below and eroded some of the bank area.

Dry Creek Falls

Reaching the waterfall my friends and I took a few photo ops, then crossed to the opposite side of the creek and found a place on the bank for a lunch break.  We entertained ourselves by watching people come and go.  Some just walked up and snapped a few pictures, while others clambered over the washed out riverside area in an attempt to get a closer vantage.  With the unstable soil and precarious log pile, I was fearful we'd witness someone slip and fall - but thankfully nothing happened.

Lunch spot

It was nice to have a break - especially in such a beautiful place!  The mossy, basalt cliffs were so interesting and scenic.  Dry Creek Falls is of my favorite Gorge waterfall locations.

PCT bridge spanning Dry Creek

After finishing our lunches, my friends and I shouldered our backpacks, and retraced our steps back down the spur trail and across the PCT footbridge.  Once on the other side, the amount of hikers dropped off dramatically.  We nearly had the trail to ourselves again.

One of many large talus slopes

Then it was just a matter of following the PCT back to the Herman Creek trail.  By the time we crossed the talus slopes again, the clouds cloaking the Columbia River views had lifted and I was treated to a much better river vantage.

Columbia River view

Once back at the trailhead, we ended our day with a beer at a local pub in the nearby town of Cascade Locks.  My friends and I had covered a little over 9 miles and 2100 feet of elevation gain.  And best of all - the forecasted rain had held off the entire time!

A great hike!

I guess if I can't ski, at least there are beautiful trails close to home that I can hike.  But do I love skiing so I'm hoping the snow gods will pull through soon with a big mountain blizzard.  Time to do some more snow dances!

Autumn at Silver Falls State Park

Hopefully you're not tired of all these fall color posts, because I have one more that I really want to share.  Besides the Columbia River Gorge, my other favorite local place to see autumn color is Silver Falls State Park.  Not only does this outstanding state park boast numerous beautiful waterfalls, it also puts on one the best leaf color shows of the season.  

Brilliant vine maple leaves

Silver Falls State Park's claim to fame is it's waterfalls.  Silver Creek winds through a deep basalt canyon, providing several steps for the water to drop off.  The park boasts a "Trail of Ten Falls" hike that takes visitors past ten cascades in a little over 7 miles.  

An explosion of color

In my opinion, mid to late October is the very best time to visit this spectacular park.  Autumn colors are usually peaking and sometimes early season rainfall has the waterfalls running full.  Plentiful maple trees explode into a frenzy of yellows and oranges, lining the canyon with dazzling hues.  An annual fall visit is almost always on my schedule.

South Falls

In late October, I rallied my buddy Kim to join me for a jaunt to check things out.  Because the leaves photograph better under overcast skies, I picked a day that was supposed to be cloudy with possible rain.  However, when I pulled into the parking lot, I was dismayed to see sunshine streaming from between the trees.

Following the trail behind South Falls

Ugh - bright sunlight creates harsh shadows and the contrast between bright white waterfalls and the surrounding landscape makes it difficult to get the proper exposure.  But I was here and the leaf color was popping, so I'd have to do the best I could.

South Falls and its rocky amphitheater

Kim, who had never hiked here in autumn, was more than thrilled to see the vibrant leaf color show.  The foliage surrounding the parking lot always sports some of the best vine maple colors in the entire area.  I especially loved the bright red hues.  Although I take copious photos here every year, I couldn't resist adding a few more to my catalog.  From the parking lot, we walked over to a viewpoint of South Falls.  However, the contrast between sun and shadow was so great I didn't take many photos from this viewpoint.  

At 177 feet South Falls had the distinction of being the second tallest waterfall in the park.  Sadly, a dry fall season thus far had its normal healthy flow reduced to a trickle.  

Yellow leaves along Silver Creek

From the top of the canyon, Kim and I followed a trail that took us to creek level.  One great thing about the trails here, they led visitors behind several of these stunning cascades.  The path circled around South Falls' wide, rocky amphitheater, before ducking right behind the falls itself.  I enjoyed this unique perspective behind its watery curtain.  So cool to watch this water stream tumbling down right in front of our faces!

Lower South Falls

From South Falls, Kim and I wandered along a trail paralleling Silver Creek.  Lots of bright yellow maple leaves decorated our path.  Progress was rather slow, as there was always a lovely scene to capture with my camera.

This section of the trail was gorgeous!

About a mile from South Falls, we switchbacked down a steep trail that led us to the foot of Lower South Falls, the next waterfall on our day's agenda.  At 93 feet in height, it wasn't as tall as grand South Falls, but just as stunning.  I loved how the water spilled artistically onto the rocks directly below its stream.  And just like South Falls, we could also walk behind this cascade.

Green ferns

From Lower South Falls, we sauntered another mile through quiet woods all the while following charming Silver Creek.  The surrounding forest was ablaze with yellow color, the mossy tree branches reaching out like ghostly arms.  Bright green ferns lined our path.

Lower North Falls

The next waterfall on our tour was tiny Lower North Falls.  At only 30 feet in height, it was often overlooked by people walking the loop trail.  But surrounded by brilliant orange leaves with a mossy log draped across its water stream, I thought this cascade was most photogenic.  The sky had clouded up by then, and the even light made for perfect conditions to capture its beauty.  As a matter of fact, the above image was one of my favorites from the day.

Middle North Falls was just a trickle

From Lower North Falls, Kim and I made a side trip to check out Double Falls.  At 178 feet it has the distinction of being the tallest waterfall in Silver Falls State Park (by only one foot over South Falls!)  However, its location at the end of a narrow canyon makes photography difficult, so we didn't linger long - and I took only one really crummy image that I'm not going to include here.

Colorful trees atop Middle N. Falls

Down the trail again, now heading for my favorite cascade in Silver Falls State Park - Middle North Falls.  This waterfall normally had a wide, fan-shaped stream that draped across a tall basalt cliff.  However, I was sad to see this cascade was also a victim of the dry autumn season, its lovely, wide fan reduced to one narrow stream.  Still pretty, but not as stunning as usual.

Lots of leaves on the ground

Middle North Falls was also a walk-behind cascade, so of course Kim and I took the side trail to get a glimpse of the view behind its narrow stream.  At 106 feet in height, this waterfall was also respectably tall.

Touches of yellow and orange

Although I would've loved to visit all ten of the waterfalls along the "Trail of Ten Falls," by the time we'd finished with Middle North Falls it was midafternoon and we still had a good two mile jaunt if we took the short loop back to the parking lot.  Kim and I had taken a lot of time walking the 3.5 miles we'd covered so far.  The scenery was so fabulous there had been numerous photo stops and they'd all added up.  So I decided to bypass the final three waterfalls and head back.  

Huge, mossy trees

The hike out of the canyon was as stunning as the rest of the trail had been.  More tall, mossy-branched, bright yellow maples dominated the forest.  After passing wispy Winter Falls, its flow barely a trickle, we climbed a short, but steep path out of the canyon.  Then Kim and I traveled on a trail along the canyon rim until we reached the lodge and South Falls viewing area once again, closing a nearly 6-mile loop.

Some tree branches looked like ghostly arms

That morning's bright sunlight had foiled my plans to get photos of South Falls surrounded by colorful trees from the upper viewing area.  But now late in the afternoon, clouds dominated the sky, making for even light.  I couldn't pass up this second chance to get some better images of South Falls.  Kim, who was tired from the day's trek decided to hang out at the lodge while I returned to the viewpoint.  So back I went - and now the light was perfect for both capturing the waterfall and nearby golden trees.  After I'd set up my tripod, a man walked into my shot and lingered below on the path for quite a long time.  Tired of waiting for him to move, I included the guy in my images.  And as it turned out I kind of liked it - he gives the viewer a sense of perspective.

South Falls from the viewing area

Kim and I spent an entire day, until nearly 5:00, hiking the trails of Silver Falls State Park.  Although we didn't get to all ten waterfalls, we did see seven of the ten, so that's not bad.  A worthwhile day spent savoring the beauty of nature in a truly spectacular area.  We both came away with lots of stunning images of the vibrant fall leaf colors and scenic waterfalls.  A truly memorable day!

(Oh and in my next few posts, I'll finally get back to the present time and show you what I've been up to lately.)

Hangin' With the Owls

Cheri, my friend, neighbor, and photography mentor is a fabulous wildlife photographer.  One of her favorite subjects is owls.  She's a pro at catching these magnificent birds in flight, and always knows where to find them.  

A short eared owl looking my way

During the winter months, short eared owls migrate to the Pacific Northwest and frequent wide open grassy fields to hunt.  Cheri had been visiting a nearby natural area where the "shorties" (as she and her photography buddies have adorably nicknamed them) could be seen in abundance.  She posted some amazing images of these beautiful owls in flight.  I started having owl envy.  So I asked Cheri if I could tag along on her next outing.

Sitting atop a fence post

I'd visited this particular natural area many times before and didn't have a good track record when it came to spotting owls.  In the past, every time I accompanied Cheri here the owls either didn't appear or were so far away it made photography challenging.  I joked to Cheri that my presence was bad luck for seeing short eared owls.  But Cheri was determined to find some owls that I could photograph and encouraged me not to give up.

Time to go!

So one afternoon in early January Cheri and I traveled to the local natural area where the short eared owls hung out.  Since the "shorties" (and most other owl species) began hunting near dusk, we wanted to be in place well before sunset.

Another liftoff - look at those legs!

Bird sighting news travels fast among the local wildlife photographer community and when we arrived there were at least a couple dozen other people scattered about the field, large lenses in tow.

A flyby

At first there was no owl action to be seen.  But after about an hour of waiting, someone spotted the first shortie fly-by.  Soon after three different owls could be seen soaring above the grassy fields.

"Enough with the pictures!"

The owls weren't flying close to where Cheri and I were at.  Some of the photographers started to walk closer towards the field where the owls were hunting.  Although it was tempting to follow them, Cheri encouraged me to stay put.  After many days of visiting this location, she knew that the shorties would eventually fly closer to where we stood.  Besides, it seemed about the time one walked over to where the owls were, the little buggers would fly off somewhere else - usually the place you'd originally been waiting!

Looking for dinner

Cheri, of course, was right.  Eventually the little owls began soaring over the fields closer to where she and I were stationed.  Then two of the birds started to circle a marshy area behind us.  One of the owls kept landing on a nearby fence post.  A couple of people waded through the water to get a closer vantage.

In flight

I couldn't stand it any longer and followed the other photographers through the swampy field to be closer to the owl's flight patterns.  It turned out to be an excellent decision.  Two short eared owls kept flying around the field directly adjacent to the fence.  One particular owl kept landing on the same post.

Flying near the water

Having not captured moving birds for awhile, my photography skills were quite rusty.  At first my ratio of in-focus shots to blurry misses was quite dismal.  But with a bit of practice eventually I was able to get a few keepers.

Some close flight pics

The bright sunlight made photography a bit challenging, especially when the owls flew directly into the sun.  Since I shoot in manual mode, I was forever making exposure adjustments.  (Note to self - start experimenting with aperture and shutter priority modes.)

One of my faves

After a good half hour of watching the two shorties soar back and forth across the field, one owl flew straight at myself and the two other photographers who were beside me.  It soared right over our heads!  I was awed by the quiet, smooth flight of this beautiful bird.  The close owl encounter was quite amazing - a definite highlight of the day.

Wings spread out

With dark fast approaching, I waded back across the marshy field to meet up with Cheri.  From her spot she'd also had great views of the short eared owls soaring across the field.  She even captured images of an owl and harrier fighting in flight.  It had been a most successful afternoon!

Crusin'

Short eared owls are medium sized birds, usually about the size of a crow or mallard duck.  They get their name from small tufts of feathers on their heads, resembling ears.  These tufts are small enough they are often not visible.  Short eared owls have large heads, short necks, broad wings, and adorable black-rimmed yellow eyes.  They fly low over fields using floppy wingbeats, often looking like giant moths.  Shorties live in open grassland areas throughout the world and feed mainly on rodents.

A cute chipping sparrow

I'm happy to report that my short eared owl curse has now been lifted.  I came away from that photo session with many images of these gorgeous birds in flight.  Hope you've enjoyed my photo gallery!