1/27/2019 Steigerwald Wildlife Refuge, WA
A short walk on a foggy day with one of our sons.
Ducks
Swans
Great Blue Heron near the bridge
Ephemeral reflections
Bald eagle pair watching over all.
2.3 miles, hike #5 for 2019.
1/28/2019 Silver Falls, OR
Windy and cold in Portland, but warmer to the south. We drove to Silver Falls State Park in the Cascade foothills east of Salem, Oregon, where the North and South Forks of Silver Creek fall in steep drops or shorter cascades over ledges of volcanic rock. We hiked the Trail of Ten Falls, though we skipped one – so the Trail of Nine Falls. One or more waterfalls every mile of the seven mile loop keeps the trail interesting. Lots of water in the falls, compared to my last visit in August of 2017!
South Falls 177 ft
We started at South Falls, but skipped the path behind the falls as I didn’t want to start out the hike wet.
South Falls from the upper viewpoint
South Falls from the bridge.
Lower South Falls 93 ft
Stairs down the cliff.
Walking behind the falls.
Dan on the left, emerging from behind the falls.
The trail follows the river, with occasional bridge crossings.
Lower North Falls 30 ft
Double Falls 178 ft
Drake Falls 27 ft
Named for the man who created the park.
Middle North Falls 106 ft
Twin Falls 31 ft
North Falls 136 ft
The trail leads behind North Falls.
Behind the falls.
Looking back.
And now we have to climb up out of the canyon.
Looking back down at North Falls.
We did not walk the extra distance to Upper North Falls (65 ft), but followed the Rim Trail toward –
Winter Falls 134 ft
We only saw the upper lip of this one, though there is a trail down to the base.
Winter Falls rim.
This was the last waterfall of the hike (7.0 miles, 1200 feet, hike #6 for 2019).
Wildlife
There was a ladybug picnic on one of the fence posts:
Margaret Quilts 