Trade offs

First the bad. We continue to find access points to the Pacific Crest Trail nearby. However, most of the PCT in the higher elevations where we are still has several feet of snow covering both the trail and the surrounding forest. Other than a few feet of access to at least see the trail signage, the PCT is pretty much impassible here.

We have managed to find some access points at lower elevations so that the Woman can satisfy her PCT obsession at least a bit. We have managed to hike maybe 6-8 miles of the PCT in central Oregon but have encountered a strange experience. We know we are on the PCT as we have been guided here by experienced locals – locals who are trail angels and help the through hikers during the season. We also know we are on the PCT because the trail is on Google Maps – Google knows everything. When we have cell service, it’s easy to confirm that we are meandering along the PCT.

The strange experience? We walk for a couple miles at a time and never see a PCT blaze. There are many trails merging and splitting off from the one we are on, and we confirm with Google Maps that we are on the PCT itself. But still no blazes – not even where other trails merge. We were able to spot this blaze marking the Metolius-Windigo Horse Trail near the Whitehorse Horse Camp that shares the PCT in this area, but no official PCT blazes. This part of the PCT must be a real challenge for through hikers during the season.

Now the good news. All the snow melt has the local rivers completely full. The North Umpqua and South Umpqua rivers in the Cascade Mountain Range are loaded with beautiful waterfalls. Most require a bit of a hike from a parking area in order to see, but with the hip seeming to get a bit better, they’re not beyond our capability or interest. The guide books list 25 accessible waterfalls along the Umpqua, Little and Row rivers. Over a couple days we managed to hit 8 of them.

Each falls we hiked to was different. Some were cascading falls along a series of rock steps. Others were plunge falls descending vertically and losing contact with the rock surface in the fall. Susan Creek falls were a nice example of the cascading falls, labeled a fan falls because of its wide spray area caused by its massive flow.

Watson fall is totally a plunge fall. At nearly 300 feet it is the tallest falls in southwest Oregon and the third tallest in the state. We hiked up to its base, enjoying the numerous cascading falls leading up to the big plunge.

The falls along the North Umpqua River were our favorite. While it takes a bit of driving from any of the populated areas, the drives themselves are beautiful, and the falls just add a huge bonus to the beauty. And you get to stumble upon little gems like Tiller Oregon. Once a thriving community, the lack of jobs and services have led to an exodus of residents. What is left of the local city government is in the process of trying to unload all its buildings – the schools, the fire department, etc. Pretty sad when you think of the historical significance.

Talk to you soon!