Frozen Falls

As I've posted many, many times before, Oregon's Columbia River Gorge is home to a great number of lovely waterfalls.  They are wonderful to visit any time of the year (and I do!) but when a winter cold snap hits, these frozen cascades are especially stunning.

Latourell Falls

Many times the waterfalls freeze during winter storms, which also bring terribly icy roads that make visiting difficult, if not risky.  In mid-February, a gusty east wind began to blow through the gorge.  East winds in winter are particularly brutal, as they carry frigid temperatures from the colder interior of Oregon to the temperate west side.  But one positive result - these chilly gales caused the waterfalls in the gorge to freeze but didn't affect the roads.  Taking advantage of the good driving conditions, I packed up my camera one blustery morning and headed over to check things out.

Latourell Fall's icy base area

The first cascade on my winter tour was the always scenic Latourell Falls.  Access to the base area's splash pool required a quarter mile walk down a paved path.  With the high winds blowing the waterfall's spray everywhere, the last hundred feet of this path had a thick layer of ice covering everything.  Luckily, from past experience, I'd brought traction for my feet in the form of a pair of microspikes.  These devices acted as chains on my shoes, keeping me safe from slips and falls.

Frozen creek below the falls

Most people visiting the falls wore street shoes and wisely stopped short of the icy path.  But my microspikes enabled me to walk down to Latourell Fall's base area for some great shots of the ice-covered splash pool.  I encountered one man without any type of traction who had gingerly slipped down to this same area.  (I have no idea how he managed to get there without falling and injuring himself!)  However, when the time came for the man to walk back uphill, the path was so slippery he couldn't ascend.  Lucky for him, the trail was a loop, so he was able to return to the parking lot via a longer route in the opposite direction.

Ice coats everything in the splash pool

Although the water cascading down Latourell Falls wasn't freezing, the spray blowing off it was.  It coated everything around it in a thick layer of ice.  Some of the features created by these wind-borne water droplets were quite beautiful.

But the spray caused problems for me.  It formed a fine layer of frost on my camera lens that required continuous wiping to keep clear.  Although I was wearing gloves, my hands became quite cold.  Standing in the strong wind that was blowing icy water all around, it didn't take long before my entire body was chilled.  Time to head back to the car and warm up!

Mother Nature's ice sculptures over Wahkeena Creek

After sitting in my car with heater running for a bit (and firing up my heated seats - the best!) I headed over to visit Sheppard's Dell Falls and then Bridal Veil Falls.  Although I took photos at both places, they didn't have the interesting ice features that Latourell did.  After warming up a bit after each waterfall, I then headed down the road to Wahkeena Falls.  And here I struck gold!

More fancy icicles

To reach Wahkeena Falls required a half mile uphill hike.  However, I first found icy beauty right next to the parking area.  Wahkeena Creek flowed downhill past the roadway and the bushes dangling above the water sported numerous delicate icicles.  This fun photography session delayed my trip to the waterfall by several minutes.

Large icy branch at the base of Wahkeena Falls

But the best was yet to come!  Finally reaching Wahkeena Fall's base area I was blown away by the amazing ice sculptures surrounding this cascade.

Icicles coat the waterfall's sides

Huge icicles had formed on a large branch sticking out of the splash pool.  Rounded ice features littered the walls surrounding the creek.  And many more icicles dangled from the cliffs on either side of Wahkeena Falls.  The entire area around this waterfall was coated in a thick layer of white ice.  It was a thing of beauty to behold!

The entire area is coated in white!

Although I'd planned to end my trip at Multnomah Falls, the grand dame of the gorge waterfalls, by the time I had finished photographing Wahkeena Falls, my body was chilled to the bone.  Time to head home and warm up for good.  

Another view of Wahkeena Falls

The following day the entire Portland metro area was hit with a snowstorm.  Although only receiving an inch or two of snow, it was enough to mess up the roads everywhere.  In the gorge, a large amount of accidents on the freeway near Multnomah Falls ended up stranding over 100 vehicles.  I was doubly glad I'd ventured out to see the frozen waterfalls before the storm hit.

Slippery paths, icy spray coating camera lenses, cold hands and feet, and frigid wind chilling a body to the bone.  These are things we photographers endure to capture these stunning creations of Mother Nature.  Hope you enjoyed the photos!

A Winter Waterfall

Who doesn't love waterfalls in the winter season?  Blanketed in snow, icicles hanging on the nearby canyon walls, and if you're lucky, maybe some interesting ice formations in the splash bowl below.  In my opinion, frozen cascades are the holy grail of landscape photography.

Chilly Cold Spring Creek

Where I live, the waterfall corridor of the Columbia River Gorge usually gets one to two days per year of temperatures low enough to partially freeze the cascades.  But when that happens, the road to get there is usually icy too.  However, there is one waterfall near Mt. Hood where winter conditions are fairly reliable most of the season.  Tamanawas Falls, located in the higher elevations of Mt. Hood National Forest, is a popular winter destination.  A short hike or snowshoe along Cold Spring Creek rewards intrepid adventurers with gorgeous, snowy scenery.

Snow-dusted trees

One cold winter morning I made the long drive to Mt. Hood's east side, destination Tamanawas Falls trailhead.  Arriving to a parking area with snow piled high, I decided to enlist the services of my snowshoes.  Although the adjacent trail appeared to be well packed, I wasn't sure what the rest of the route would entail.  There was a lot of snow in the forest!  Having been stuck post-holing on past hikes where I'd left the snowshoes behind, as far as I was concerned it was better safe than sorry.

Hiker bridge over Cold Spring Creek

I shuffled easily along the well-tromped trail, stopping frequently to admire the snowy forest and adjacent creek.  White-dusted fir trees captured the attention of my camera many times.  The sky was overcast, but occasionally the clouds would briefly part, teasing me with the promise of sunshine.  

Blue rapids

About halfway along the 2-mile trail hikers cross charming Cold Spring Creek, rapids bubbling in an unusual icy-blue-aqua color.  Of course, the creek enticed me to flounder through deep snow to it's bank for more intimate captures (good thing I had my snowshoes!)

Intricate ice formations in the creek

Beyond the bridge crossing I sauntered along the trail, stopping frequently to check out more beauty.  Where the creek's rapids slowed, icicles had formed on overhanging tree branches.

First view of Tamanawas Falls

Even with a packed down trail, I was finding hiking in snowshoes required much more effort than mere walking.  Huffing and puffing uphill through a large talus slope, I began to think I'd never get to that darn waterfall.

A bit closer view

But of course I eventually did arrive.  And boy was it worth the effort!  Deep snow covered the valley.  Huge icicles hung from the canyon walls.  In the middle of it all Tamanawas Falls stood, it's white rapids gushing.  Absolutely stunning!

Lots of snow this year!

I'd never seen so much snow here.  The waterfall's flow had transformed the deep snowbanks below into unique patterns.  Some of the icy creations glowed with a bluish hue.

I loved the unusual snow formations at the waterfall's base

I ventured closer to the waterfall.  Winds caught the spray, covering my camera lens.   Close-range photography became difficult, but between gusts I managed a few droplet-free images.

Mother Nature's artwork

I loved trying to capture details of the icy sculptures beneath the cascade.  Due to all the white color, exposure was tricky.

Breathtaking beauty

I had Tamanawas Falls to myself for nearly a half hour before other hikers appeared.  By then I had a memory card full of images, so I decided it was time to head back.  But leaving such an impressive winter scene wasn't easy.  I lingered a bit, snapping a few extra photos with people in the frame for scale.  Then snow began to fall, making this beautiful place even more magical.  Oh, I couldn't leave without a few images of the snow falling!

As I departed, snow began to fall

A great outing, it was icy Tamanawas Falls for the win!  Although this trail is accessible year-round, I think winter is the very best time to visit.

Turkeys and Deer in the Snow

My visits to see family in South Dakota have historically been confined to summer months, when the weather is good.  However, my parents aren't getting any younger, and now that I'm retired there's no excuse for me not visiting more frequently.  So I decided to do something I haven't done in nearly 30 years - go to South Dakota in the winter.

Three does checking me out

I planned my trip for the end of January.  Checking the local weather a few days before my departure, things didn't look too bad.  But after I arrived, the forecast changed dramatically.  A snowstorm dropped 12 inches one day, and the temperatures plunged below zero (Fahrenheit) for two straight days.

Another curious doe

What was I thinking?  The frigid weather had me realizing why I hadn't done a wintertime visit in many years.

Turkey in the snow

Despite the weather, I still had fun.  All that time spent indoors provided great opportunities to catch up with family members.

Turkeys huddled under the neighbor's bush

And I didn't have to travel far to photograph wildlife.  The resident deer and turkeys made daily visits to my parent's backyard.

Young buck

So enjoy these photos of the hardy animals who make South Dakota their home. (I think I took more critter photos than family pics!)

Snow on the pine trees

Lone turkey

Snow-covered turkey

Another trio of does

Huge turkey flock

My dad plowing the driveway

My dad is amazing.  Even though in his mid-80's, he still gets out to shovel and plow the driveway.

Time to shovel again!

One thing for sure, visiting an area that has real winters makes me appreciate the rainy, mild climate where I live.

Frog Lake Butte

Last year my friend Catherine and I hiked a loop around Frog Lake, over a ridge separating Frog and Lower Twin Lakes, and returned on the PCT.  (See post here)  I enjoyed myself so much that this year I plotted a return trip. 

Sunrise colors at White River Snopark

 

But first, how about another sunrise?  After being skunked by fog at nearby White River Snopark a few weeks before, I decided to add a sunrise capture to the day's itinerary.  While it meant pulling myself out of bed ungodly early on a cold, dark winter morning and driving on icy roads, I persevered and got myself in place before sunup.

 

Alpenglow on Mt Hood

 

I'm happy to report this time my quest to capture sunrise was wildly successful!  No fog to be found anywhere.

 

Sunrise, White River Snopark

 

I watched in awe as the eastern sky erupted in a blaze of colors.  Then as the sun emerged, the top of Mt Hood glowed with stunning pink light.  After filling my memory card with a couple hundred images, it was time to drive up the highway to Frog Lake Snopark, the start of today's adventure.

 

Mt Hood from Frog Lake

As was the case with last year's trek, the lack of fresh snow made me decide to leave my snowshoes in the car and head out with microspikes.  What little snowpack remained had been frozen and thawed so many times it was reduced to an icy mess.

 

Mt Hood close-up

 

Not deterred by the crunchy ice, I clomped down the closed Forest Service road towards Frog Lake.  Taking a spur towards the day use area, I arrived at the frozen lakshore.  From last year's experience I knew that the lake's southern end had a wonderful view of Mt Hood.  

 

Frozen Frog Lake

Clear skies made for good views of my favorite mountain!  Hood was even wearing her cloudy cap that day.

 

Icy trail to Frog Lake Butte

 

After circling Frog Lake and wandering through the campground, I began searching for the trail to Frog Lake Butte.  My memory from last year wasn't as good as I thought, and it took a few out-and-back walks along the campground road, plus frequent glimpses at my gps, before said trail was finally located (and, by the way, the sign had been taken down which added to the difficulty of finding it).

 

Trail junction

Last year's trip on this trail had been a delightful trek through powdery snow.  Today.....not so much. What little snow remained was mostly dirty ice, littered with tree needles, moss and pine cones.   I also remembered this next leg climbed steeply uphill, an unexpected and unwelcome slog that didn't register fondly in my memory bank.  But, telling myself uphill hiking was good for me, I put my head down and covered the 1.5 miles to the next trail junction surprisingly quickly.

 

Sign selfie

 

Decision time - should I continue the half mile further uphill to the top of Frog Lake Butte?  Last year, wiped out by the unexpected climb to this trail junction I'd opted to head back downhill towards Lower Twin Lake.  But skipping the summit side trip left me wondering what I'd missed.  Today, feeling strong and confident I decided to go for the top!

 

I was disappointed to see a cell tower on top of Frog Lake Butte!

Ugh, this trail was steep!  Although I'd noticed the contours and calculated the elevation gain from my map, it was one thing to see it on paper but yet another to actually do the climb.  I followed a well worn track through the snow as it wound through thick woods, with a couple teaser glimpses of Mt Hood through the trees.  Just when I thought I'd never make it to the top, the trees thinned out and my trail flattened.  Snowmobile tracks were everywhere, meandering through the crusty snow.  I followed a well-traveled track to the summit proper.  And...once on top I was disappointed not to see any mountain views, only an ugly cell phone tower.

 

Killer Mt Hood view on Frog Lake Butte

I'd heard one could see Mt Hood from Frog Lake Butte's summit.  Maybe the viewpoint was nearby?  From the cell phone tower, several snowmobile tracks led into the woods.  Choosing one of the more packed down tracks I began following it.  After a couple of false starts, I finally found the track that led me to an overlook with a killer view of the mountain.

 

Wonderful lunch spot on Frog Lake Butte

Yeah - success!  By now I was famished and settled myself in the snow for a well-earned lunch break.

 

Rough trail to Lower Twin Lake

Although it felt good to sit and fill my belly the air temperature here was much colder than in the forest.  Even thorough I was bundled up in my down coat I became chilled by inactivity and had to cut my lunch break short.  Time to get moving again.

 

Lower Twin Lake

 

The downhill trek back went much faster (with less effort) and I reached the trail junction in record time.  Continuing my descent I took the tromped-down path through the woods leading to Lower Twin Lake.  Although only 1.5 miles in length, this leg of my journey seemed to take much longer.  The going was rough, navigating bumpy snow thawed and refrozen, and sunken tree wells.  Sometimes it was difficult to locate the trail, but luckily someone had painted red blazes on the trees providing a marker to follow.

 

Well hello there!

Finally I glimpsed Lower Twin Lake's frozen surface through the forest.  Yahoo!  Time for a snack break.

The other thing I remembered from last year's hike - Lower Twin Lake is full of very hungry Gray Jays, only too happy to steal your lunch.  I'd been seated just for a couple of minutes when I noticed half a dozen of these birds already perched in a tree directly above my head.  I had to watch my food closely.  If I looked away for a second, one of them would swoop in and try to grab a bite.

Trying to snatch my snack

 

But it was fun to watch the Gray Jay's antics.  And I had a good time trying to get a few photos of them. They had such expressive faces!  

(And no, I didn't give the birds any of my snacks.  The reason these Gray Jays are so aggressive is due to people sharing food with them.  These birds have become dependent upon humans and don't forage for themselves.  Please keep wild animals wild - don't feed them!)

 

Giving me the stink eye

After a fun break at Lower Twin Lake it was time for the final leg of today's hiking adventure.  The trail climbed out of the lake's basin until connecting to the Pacific Crest Trail.  From there it was a quick mile back to the snopark and my car.  

Although I missed last year's fluffy fresh snow it was still a fun day out in the winter woods, discovering a new viewpoint on top of Frog Lake Butte and teasing the pesky Gray Jays.