Trail Talk Thursday #4

Silver Falls Bike Trail

At 5.6-miles round trip, this trail connects the campground to the South Falls Day Use Area, and then continues towards the east to a 2.4-mile loop. For those that want to start at the Day Use Area instead, the distance is roughly 4.4 miles round trip, and although you don't see any major waterfalls, the Springtime wildflowers and the Autumn colors create a bike trip like no other in the Willamette Valley. If you do come for the wildflowers, they generally bloom from late April to early July, with the majority in May. Or if you prefer to see the trees in all shades of greens, yellows, oranges, and reds, late October seems to be the best time too see the park.

So if you're an avid biker, like many Oregonians are, check out the Silver Falls Bike Trail at Silver Falls State Park. Until next time, get outside and and enjoy hiking, or biking, on one of the many trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Waterfall Wednesday #4

Frenchie Falls

This 48-foot waterfall is technically the 11th waterfall in Silver Falls State Park. In late summer, it is only a trickle over a basalt ledge; while in the midst of Winter, it more than doubles its output. The trail head to this waterfall is off one end of the switchbacks that go into the canyon next to South Falls.

If you plan on viewing South Falls in winter time, stop at Frenchie Falls, as it could be worth the extra walk. The trail can be wet and icy in winter, so use caution. Until next time, get outside and enjoy hiking to one of the many waterfalls in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Native Talk Tuesday #4

The plant featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Acer circinatum, commonly known as the Vine Maple. The photo below was taken in Silver Falls State Park and is found at low to middle elevations throughout both the Coast Range and the Cascade Range. It is generally found under trees, near streams and usually any place that is moist to wet with some sunlight.

You can call it a shrub or scraggly tree, it grows up to a  height of 25 feet. The leaves are often distinguished from any other maple due to having 7-9 lobes instead of 3-5. In Autumn, the small leaves of the Vine Maple turn a bright red that is sometimes fringed with yellow. As with most maples, the fruits of the Vine Maple are the typical "wings" that spiral downward as they fall. The wood of the Vine Maple was used for snowshoe frames, drum hoops, and dining utensils. It still is used by some people today for making bows and arrows as the wood is dense and flexible when fresh. On one episode of Grant's Getaways, one local does just that; check it out at Grants Getaways: Taking Aim at Archery.

100 Visitors in 23 days

While I initially created this blog page last summer, it was actually called something else then, I didn't post anything until January 6th. Since the first post was created, there has been 100 visitors to this page; that's roughly 4 visitors per post. Compare that to my other blog, Beaver Country Ramblings, which has been around for 10 month's and hasn't quite hit the 100 visitor/month mark. So I want to say thank you for reading my blog and I hope you come back to read even more. If you know anyone that loves the outdoors and might like to read my blog as well, let them know too. A little extra knowledge about the outdoors can't hurt. As I don't intend to advertise my blog on other sites, it is mainly word-of mouth. So pass it on; Beaver Country Travels: It's about Oregon.

Beaver Lodge in the High Cascades

Mountain View Monday # 4

Most of the volcanoes in Oregon's High Cascades are dormant, but a few of them are extinct. The extinct ones are not hard to spot at they weather down to their more resistant volcanic necks-the part of a volcano where the basaltic lava oozes out, and the rhyolitic or andesitic rock blasts out. One of these extinct volcanoes is Mount Washington, between the North Sister and 3-Finger Jack. South of Mt. Washington, along Hwy 242, is the Dee Wright Observatory and trails for those who want to hike through the lava fields. Nearby is a trail head for the Pacific Crest Trail, which takes hikers and backpackers around the southwest side of Mt. Washington.

From Pilot Butte in Bend, you can see Mt. Bachelor (the pointed peak with snow on it)

Earth Speak Sunday #3

Pine Tree Tops by Gary Snyder

In the blue night

frost haze, the sky glows

with the moon

pine tree tops

bend snow-blue, fade

into sky, frost, starlight.

the creek of boots.

rabbit tracks, deer tracks

what do we know. 

(Sorry, I didn't have a picture with pine trees)

State Park Saturday #3

Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint

Oregon has a bit of geological oddities that few other places in America have. One such oddity is that we have two cities that completely enclose an extinct volcano. One of those places is Mount Tabor in Portland, and the other is Pilot Butte in Bend. At Pilot Butte, many locals come here to bike up the road to the top; while many other locals hike up one of the three trails to the top. Most visitors to this cinder cone end up driving to the top on the road that spirals around it. Once on top of the extinct cinder cone, visitors have a panoramic view of Bend, the Cascade Mountains to the west, and the desert to the east. Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Black Butte, 3-Finger Jack, Mount Washington, the Three Sisters Mountains, and Mount Bachelor are some of the prominent peaks that you can see from this viewpoint. With an average of 300 days of sunshine, you will almost always have a view of the countryside, even if the mountains are hidden in clouds. If you plan on hiking or biking, bring water with you as there is none at the park. So far, this is one state-owned parkland that is free to the public.

A view of Bend and the Three Sisters from Pilot Butte.

So if you plan on going to Bend this year, and would like to take pictures of the Cascade Mountains, consider going to Pilot Butte and check out the Pilot Butte State Scenic Viewpoint website to find all the information on road closures and services. Until next Saturday, get outside and enjoy one of the many state parks in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Festival Friday #3

Oregon is known for beers and microbreweries. In fact, here are several facts about this beer-minded state from the Oregon Beer website. You can learn all the facts by clicking on the link. So on with some of the facts:

1. There are 51 breweries operating in Portland, more than any other city in the world.

2. In 2010, there was one Oregon brewery for every 23,465 citizens.

3. In 2010, Oregon was the number 2 hop growing state in the nation.

Got that? Now on to the festival.

On Saturday, February 2nd, Monmouth and Independence are going dark from noon to 9:00PM. Joining up with several other breweries, such as Yeasty Beasty (that's definitely a name thought up by an Oregonian), The Rogue Shuttle Bus will be running all day to different locations serving the dark beers. Porters, Stouts, and Black Lagers, Oh my! So if you are a true Oregonian, and have some free time, come on down to taste the dark side of Oregon's Craft Brews. There is even a Facebook Page to join: Going Dark Tour. One last thing, it starts at the Rogue Farms Hopyard. (3590 Wigrich Road, Independence, Oregon 97351) Bottoms Up!

Trail Talk Thursday #3

The Upper North Falls Trail

With a round-trip distance of 0.4 miles, the Upper North Falls Trail at Silver Falls State Park offers park visitors a nice hike that starts just a short distance from the North Falls Parking Area. After hiking across the footbridge over the north fork of Silver Creek, the trail splits into three, with the Upper North Falls Trail meandering back under the footbridge. The trail then crosses under Highway 214 on its way to the Upper North Falls. As you get close to the waterfall, several smaller waterfalls will be passed by; these are mostly fed by winter runoff and have not been named. Once at Upper North Falls, you can stop for a picnic on the rocks near the base of the waterfall. As this waterfall is not technically in the canyon, visitors can enjoy a swim at the base of Upper North Falls, but as the rules may have changed about where you can swim in the park, it would be a good idea to check with the park staff before swimming at this location.

 Two of the small waterfalls along the trail that have no name.

As with any hike, be prepared, as their might be snow, ice, standing water, and/or large branches on the trail. Roots and rocks can also be sticking out as well. Last year, a tree fell across the creek and the roots of that tree ripped out a chunk of trail. Unlike the Rim Trail that connects to it, pets are not allowed on the Upper North Falls Trail. One last reminder, if you decide to hike this trail between December and April, go on the Silver Falls State Park web page to check the current conditions of the trails and always use caution.

So if you feel like taking a short hike during winter, check out the Upper North Falls Trail at Silver Falls State Park. Until next time, get outside and and enjoy hiking on one of the many trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Waterfall Wednesday #3

Multnomah Falls

Situated along the Historic Columbia River Highway, this iconic waterfall is the tallest in Oregon at 620 feet tall. Multnomah Creek plunges 542 feet over the upper falls into a pool, then gradually drops 9 feet over a basalt layer before plunging again 69 feet over the lower falls into another pool below. The 49-foot long footbridge was constructed in 1914 by Italian Stonemasons at 105 feet above the lower falls.

The Geology of Multnomah Falls

There are two main events, or rather, two main type of events that happened multiple times, that helped create the Multnomah Falls. Before 16.5 million years ago, Multnomah Creek would have been a regular mountain stream with small cascades as it made its way to the Columbia River. Between 16.5 and 14.5 million years ago, large amounts of basalt poured out from northeastern Oregon and flowed toward the sea. As the flowed down the Ancestral Columbia River Valley, they filled all the low spots such as the lower part of Multnomah Creek. After that event, the new Columbia River was pushed a slightly northward and possibly flowed over a magnificent waterfall near the mouth of the river, or even near the present-day city of Portland. The next massive events that came happened during the last Ice Age, where the Columbia River Floods gouged out a channel in the basalt over and over until it became close to what the Columbia River Gorge looks like today. Since the end of the Ice Ages, Multnomah Creek has been eroding the basalt away to create the waterfall you see today. In fact it is still eroding as we look at it, sometimes only a sand grain at a time, other times, although rare, a chunk of rock breaks off like the boulder in 1995 did.

If you feel like viewing Multnomah Falls, make sure you take appropriate gear if you go in winter, as there could be ice along the trail. The trail is quite steep, but it is all downhill on the way back. Until next time, get outside and enjoy hiking to one of the many waterfalls in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Native Talk Tuesday #3

The plant featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is Rubis spectabilis, commonly known as the Salmonberry. The photo below was taken in Silver Falls State Park (of which it is quite abundant there), and is found at low to subalpine elevations throughout both the Coast Range and the Cascade Range to so far northwest that it is found in the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska. I would imagine that it is one of the types of berries that black bears and grizzlies occasionally munch on.

One of the best was to figure out if a bush is Salmonberry or a different shrub, such as a blackberry, is the way the leaves look. As I didn't have a good picture showing the leaves close up, I found one on the Veggie Gardening Tips website. The three leaves on the left it how it looks on the plant. If you fold over the top leaf, or cut it off like it shows below on the right, the remaining two leaves look like the wings of a butterfly.

Aside from that, the flowers range in color from pink to reddish purple, and the berries range in color from yellowish orange to red. When you see deep red spots on the berries, that means they are starting to go to seed. The berries look similar to raspberries and range in taste from tart to one of the best. The young stems sprouts were once gathered and peeled by native tribes in the spring to eat like a green vegetable. Perhaps the name comes from a European or American explorer watching the natives eat the berries with cooked salmon, as they were often eaten that way.

(Update: this picture was taken at Bonnie Lure State Recreation Site on 4/24/2013)

If you happen to see some berries in the Oregon State Parks, it is okay to eat a few, but you are not allowed to pick a pail to take back to camp or to take home. For those that like the taste of a salmonberry, it makes for a nice occasional snack as you hike along the trail. It also isn't allowed to take any other part of the plant out of a state park, so if you wish to take a flower or leaf for pressing, you should look outside the park.

Mountain View Monday #3

With much more snow on the slopes this time of year than when the picture below was taken, Mount Bachelor is one of the best mountains in the cascades to snowboard and ski downhill. For those that wish to enjoy the scenery more than the rush of adrenaline, there is a snowshoe trail to the top.

Mount Bachelor from Pilot Butte in Bend, Oregon

Earth Speak Sunday #2

A Sense of Place by Alan Gussow

There is a great deal of talk these days about saving the environment. We must, for the environment sustains our bodies. But as humans we also support for our spirits, and that is what certain kinds of places provide. The catalyst that converts any physical location - any environment if you will - into a place, is the process of experiencing deeply. A place is a piece of the whole environment that has been claimed by feelings. Viewed simply as a life-support system, the earth is an environment. Viewed as a resource that sustains our humanity, the earth is a collection of places. We never speak, for example, of an environment we have known; it is always places we have known - and recall. We are homesick for places, we are reminded of places, it is the sounds and smells and sights of places which haunt us and against which we often measure our planet.

Sea stacks near Bandon, Oregon

State Park Saturday # 2

Silver Falls State Park

With a 40-million year history which included basalt sea stacks rising from what is now the Willamette Valley, to many flood basalts scorching the landscape, to what you see today, Silver Falls State Park is the largest state park in Oregon at over 9,000 acres. With over one million visitors annually, it more than doubles the amount of visitors that go to Crater Lake National Park. While those who visit this park cannot see its earliest history, they can see the destruction the lava flows created when the came through the region over 14 million years ago. When you walk behind North Falls and look up at the basalt ceiling, you see many tree casts. If you look at the top of North Falls, and if you take a look at Twin Falls, you can see the gouges cut by Ice Age spring runoff. During summer and fall, visitors can see 10 main waterfalls and a few that are smaller; but in winter and spring, many more small waterfalls pop up from snowmelt and runoff.

South Falls Lodge

While many people come to the park to camp or hike, others can take advantage of the equestrian trails that offer viewing animals that you may not see where the waterfalls are. Every time you visit, there is something new to see, whether it is the snow and icicles in the winter, or a new flower to discover in spring. Every now and then, a tree or two will fall across a waterfall, adding to a picture. If you happen to love autumn more than other seasons, be sure to visit the park in late October to see the park when the trees are most colorful. For those that visit early in the day before most of the crowd arrives, a deer or two might make an appearance.

Nature Store

If you do go, make sure to visit the South Falls Lodge and the Nature Store, both in the South Falls Day Use Area. At just over 40 minutes from downtown Salem, it remains a great park to check out on a hot summer day, when you can swim upstream from the South Falls near the many picnic shelters. For those that would like to camp in a large group, check out the group campgrounds, which can accommodate 25 individuals in tents, and up to 25 RV's in a circle.

Entrance to the Campground, Horse Ranches, and Conference Center

So if you plan on going hiking this year, and want to stay close to the major towns in the Willamette Valley, check out the Silver Falls State Park website to find all the information on park rates and services, as well as any trail closures. Until next Saturday, get outside and enjoy one of the many state parks in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Festival Friday #2

With January being the official 'Oregon Crab Month', this week's Festival Friday fits right in. The featured event is the Mo's Crab and Chowder Festival. Starting on January 25th and ending on the 27th, this event is held not at the coast, but right in the middle of the Willamette Valley outside the small town of Turner. If you have a love for the famous Mo's Clam Chowder, or crab caught off the Oregon Coast, then head on over the the Willamette Valley Vineyards to enjoy some of Oregon's best seafood paired with some of Oregon's best wine. The admission to the event is $10 for Wine Club Members, and $15 for non-members. All admissions include a Riedel wine glass, and Mo's menu items cost extra. The hours go from 5pm-9pm on Friday, and 11am-6pm on Saturday & Sunday. So bring your friends and family along to enjoy a great, uniquely Oregon, festival.

The Willamette Valley Vineyards in Summer

Trail Talk Thursday #2

Winter Falls Hike

For the visitors that want to hike on a short trail, the small Winter Falls Parking Area allows easy access to Winter Falls with a 0.4-mile, round-trip hike down to the bottom of the canyon and back up. The name of this waterfall comes from the fact that it depends heavily on snowmelt and runoff during winter and spring. If you visit this waterfall during those two seasons, this waterfall becomes one worth taking a picture, but if you visit during late summer, it really won't be worth the steep hike back out of the canyon. Near the base of this waterfall is a bench that offers hikers a place to eat lunch while enjoying the scenery before heading back up. The Winter Trail does continue on for almost a mile more past the bench, in which it crosses the north  fork of Silver Creek and connects to  the Canyon Trail, for those that would like to go on to see more waterfalls.

 Winter Falls in May at left, and in July at right

As with any hike, be prepared, as their might be mud, snow, ice, standing water, and/or large branches on the trail. Roots and rocks can also be sticking out as well. Unlike the Rim Trail that connects to it, pets are not allowed on the Winter Trail. One last reminder, if you decide to hike this trail between December and April, go on the Silver Falls State Park web page to check the current conditions of the trails and always use caution, as a man lost his life last winter due to falling off the trail near Winter Falls.

So if you feel like taking a short hike during winter, check out the Winter Trail at Silver Falls State Park. Until next time, get outside and and enjoy hiking on one of the many trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Waterfall Wednesday # 2

Upper North Falls

Of all the waterfalls in Silver Falls State Park, The Upper North Falls is the only one that is not surrounded by a deep canyon. At 65 feet high, this waterfall is the fourth smallest waterfall in the park. The trail to this waterfall starts at a three-way intersection with the Rim Trail and the Canyon Trail; I personally call it the Upper North Falls Trail as it doesn't yet have a name. After walking under the footbridge and the vehicle bridge, the small trail winds its way along the stream past small seasonal waterfalls until it opens out onto a rocky platform that is often slippery. Although this trail is not part of the canyon trail, and though it is relatively safe, pets are not allowed on the trail to this waterfall.

The Geology of the Upper North Falls

The three layers of rock you see that make up the height of the Upper North Falls are from basalt lava flows that came through the region between 15.2 and 14.5 million years ago. These streams of lava moved at a rate of 30 mph from northeastern Oregon, through a low area near the present-day Opal Creek Wilderness, and on toward the ocean. Most animals would have sensed the lavas coming near; but a few animals, such as the slug, would have been buried and burned below the hot rock.

The History of the Upper North Falls

Although the Kalapuya Tribe was known to be in the area, no artifacts have been found at the Upper North Falls. Perhaps one reason is that winter floods of years past could have taken the items downstream. Another possibility is that erosion of the hillsides might have buried the artifacts; and of course, there is the possibility that they didn't leave any behind.

If you feel like viewing the Upper North Falls, make sure you take appropriate gear if you go in winter, as there could be ice along the trail. If you go in summer and plan to swim, be aware of signs posted that prohibit swimming in certain places. Until next time, get outside and enjoy hiking to one of the many waterfalls in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Native Talk Tuesday #2

The plant featured in today's Native Talk Tuesday is the state flower of Oregon, called Mahonia aquifolium, commonly known as the Tall Oregon Grape. The picture below was taken somewhere near the South Falls in Silver Falls State Park, but it can be found all over the lower elevations of the Cascade and Coast Ranges.

As you can see in the picture above, the leaves look similar to holly and during spring it has bright yellow flowers. This plant, which has 5-9 pinnate leaflets, is often confused with the Dull Oregon Grape, which has 9-19 leaflets. The leaflets for this plant are usually paired across from each other, with exception to the leaflet on the end which is  by itself. Although it is called a grape, it is not a true grape, and thus is often called an "Oregon holly-grape." The fruits are small, blue-colored berries with a few large seeds and cluster together like true grapes. Although edible, these berries can be quite tart and usually are not eaten in large quantities.

The grapes were often mixed with some sweeter fruit such as salal. The Oregon Grape can be used for jelly and wine, but they still need to be sweetened up. The stems were often shredded by various tribes to make a yellow dye for basket materials. The berries, if eaten in quantity, reportedly can be used as an antidote to shellfish poisoning.

Winter at Silver Falls State Park

As the weather warms up and the sun come out, checking out a favorite waterfall can be a fun adventure after a few days of freezing temperatures and some snowfall. For me, that place is the South Falls at Silver Falls State Park. This morning happened to be a great time to go as the trail down to the bridge below South Falls was not too icy, and I was able to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature. Icicles that were possibly up to 6 feet long clung to the sides of the cliff that the waterfall goes over, the biggest being along the trail behind South Falls; and trees were dusted with snow and frost.

Frenchie Falls, a rather small waterfall, was decorated with icicles as well; while an un-named cascade was in full view on the other side of the canyon.

Once on the bridge at the bottom, you can see how high the water splashes up from the waterfall. And viewing the bridge in from of the falls looks more like something in a painting.

Once back at the top, the South Falls Lodge and Nature Store are usually open for people to get warm, talk too others, and buy souvenirs. I've been told that the Nature Store is the oldest building in the park, and is the only building the CCC made with only wood. When it was first built, it was a powder house for the women that were visiting.

On days and mornings that have fewer people hiking, you can occasionally catch a glimpse of other types of visitors. This morning, three deer happened to be browsing the foliage near the Nature Store.

 If you happen to be traveling between Salem and this park, you should stop at the little parking lot that offers a view of a valley that the East Fork Drift Creek starts in. A well-built sign marks the spot.

If you feel like visiting this state park during winter, but don't want to deal with bad weather, I suggest waiting for a sunny day after a winter freeze, ice storm, or snow storm. Until then, get outside and enjoy some other part of the great Oregon Outdoors.

Mountain View Monday #2

At roughly 11,250 feet tall, Mount hood is Oregon's highest mountain. This height allows Mount Hood to stand above the clouds when tops of other mountains in the Oregon Cascades will be hidden in the clouds.

Known as Wy'east by the Multnomah tribe, this stratovolcano made such an impression on the local tribes, that they created legends about it. One such legend was created by the Wasco Tribe and is written in the book Indian Legends of the Pacific Northwest. It called the Chief's Face on Mount Hood and goes like this:

Years and years ago, the mountain peak south of Big River was so high that when the sun shone on its south side a shadow stretched north for a day's journey. Inside the mountain, evil spirits had their lodges. Sometimes the evil spirits became so angry that they threw out fire and smoke and streams of hot rocks. Rivers of liquid rock ran towards the sea,killing all growing things and forcing the Indians to move far away. In those days the Indians also were taller than they are now. They were as tall as the pine and fir trees that covered the hills, and their chief was such a giant that his warriors could walk under his outstretched arms. He was the bravest and the strongest of his tribe.

One night a voice spoke to the chief in a dream. "If you do not conquer the evil spirits that live in the mountain, they will someday throw out a river of fire. The river will flood the land, all the people will be drowned, and your country will be ruined." The chief knew that he must protect his people. He would fight the demons alone. So he took the long journey to the top of the mountain. There he found a crater, a big hole, which was the home of the evil spirits. Scattered around it were some large stones. The chief picked them up and threw them into the crater.

Muttering with anger, the mountain spirits heated the rocks red hot and hurled them back again. The rocks rose towards the sky and fell a long distance away. The chief hurled more stones into the crater. The demons spewed up hot rocks and smoke and fire. For many days the battle continued. Then the chief, resting for a moment, looked down upon the land he had left--the land that had once been green and beautiful. The rivers were choked, the forest and the grass had disappeared, the animals and the people had fled. The heart of the chief broke with sorrow. He had failed to protect his people, and his land was a blackened ruin. He sank upon the ground and was soon buried by the streams of hot rocks.

But some of his people fled to the tops of near-by mountains and so were not covered by the rocks. When the earth cooled and the grass grew again, they returned to their country. In time there was plenty of food once more. But the children, starved and weak for so long, never became as tall and strong as their parents and grandparents had been. The people will remain stunted and weak until a great chief comes who conquer the demons of fire in the mountain. When he comes, the people will be restored to their former size and all the earth will be happy. Sometimes the old chief's face can be seen on the north side of Mount Hood, about  halfway down the mountain. It is a huge shadow, the profile of an Indian head with its scalp lock.

Earth Speak Sunday #1

To quote John Muir,

This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in  its turn, as the round earth rolls.

Waves splashing along the Oregon Coast.

State Park Saturday #1

Tumalo State Park

Located on the eastern edge of the Cascade Mountains, and less than seven miles north of Bend, this state park sits along side a small section of the Deschutes River. As it is so close to Bend, many people go shopping while staying at this campground. The best part for those who like recreation, is it's proximity to several different types of high-class experiences. This park is central to many pristine lakes and streams, including the Metolius River which offers some of the best fishing in Oregon. Many hiking opportunities are found near the park, including the Edison Ice Cave near Mount Bachelor. The Three Sisters Wilderness offers a small bit of paradise for those who like to go backpacking. Those who like geology might want to check out Lava Butte, Lava River Cave, and Lava Cast Forest south of Bend. Although the Deschutes River is shallow and narrow along this state park, it offers a chance to learn how to kayak or canoe, or even just to float or swim.

The Deschutes River at Tumalo State Park. The type of rock across the stream is called 'welded tuff.'

During Winter, campers might want to opt for one of many yurts in the campground too stay warm. At just over 40 minutes away, Mount Bachelor offers some of the best snowboarding and downhill  skiing opportunities in the Oregon Cascades. If you prefer to cross-country ski or snowshoe, there are plenty of trails on and around Mount Bachelor.

If you are more of the type of camper that likes to relax, you can set up your chair along the river and take in the sights and smells of your surroundings. You might even get to see more wildlife than you expect this way. At night, if the weather is clear and the air warm, you can look for stars and constellations in the sky.

So if you plan on going to Central Oregon this year to unwind or do some recreation, check out the Tumalo State Park website to find all the information on park rates and services. Until next Saturday, get outside and have some happy camping in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Festival Friday #1

There are many winter festivals and events going on all across Oregon this year, many of which you can find on the Travel Oregon website. Instead of featuring the Eagle Cap Extreme dog sled race in the far off town of Joseph, I wanted to keep the first featured event in the Willamette Valley, where most Oregonians live.

If you have a love for cheese and are interested in cheese making, check out the Full Circle Creamery on January 19th in the town of Independence, which is near Salem. Here, you can learn to make your own cheese in a special class that teaches you the ingredients, equipment, and processes you need to do it yourself. This event starts at 4 pm for no charge. Food, Rouge Ales, and Spirits can be purchased at the Chatoe Tasting Room.The creamery is located at 3590 Wigrich Rd, Independence, OR 97351

Trail Talk Thursday #1

Rim Trail Hike

As the only trail at Silver Falls State Park to allow hikers with their pets to see a waterfall, the Rim Trail is perfect for those who don't want to leave their dog at home or back at their campsite. Depending on which end you want to start at, the Rim Trail can be more difficult one way than the other, especially if you have bad knees or hips and plan to walk to one end and back. Many people that hike this trail come from the South Falls Day Use Area, but a hiker can also start at the North Falls Parking Lot. A third option visitors have for a starting point is to start at either the Winter Falls Parking Lot, or North Falls Viewpoint.

If you are hiking from the South Falls Day Use Area, a 1.6 mile long trail will take you to the Winter Falls Parking Lot. This section of trail crosses paths with the paved Bike Trail, which some people walk on when the Rim Trail is muddy. On the north side of the Winter Falls Parking lot, is a trail that leads a short, but quite steep, distance to Winter Falls. If you are here during winter or early to mid-spring, it might be worth taking a look at. At any other time of year, the waterfall is a small trickle. Just remember, pets are not allowed on the Winter Trail.

As you hike over 0.5 miles further down the trail, you will come below the North Falls Viewpoint. At this spot you can see and hear North Falls, over a quarter a mile away. During the winter and early spring, its thunderous sound resonates within the canyon walls. At over 0.3 miles past the North Falls Viewpoint, the trail connects with the Canyon Trail and the Upper North Falls Trail. Many people with their pets turn around at this spot and complete the 5 mile trek, but some people take the short walk to Upper North Falls, adding nearly a half mile to their hike.

 North Falls from the North Falls Viewpoint in March (left picture) and in May (right picture

For those who started at the North Falls Parking Lot, the trail is reversed. Those who cannot walk their dogs the full five miles, have the option to choose which section or sections they hike. As with any hike, be prepared, as their might be mud, snow, ice, standing water, and/or large branches on the trail. Roots and rocks can also be sticking out as well. I would also suggest to make sure your dog can handle it in the type of conditions the trail or weather might be awaiting for you. One last reminder, if you decide to hike this trail between December and April, go on the Silver Falls State Park web page to check the current conditions of the trails.

So if you feel like taking your pet hiking with you, check out the Rim Trail at Silver Falls State Park. Until next time, get outside and have some happy trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.

Waterfall Wednesday #1

South Falls

Spilling over five layers of basalt, this 177-foot waterfall is the highest single-drop waterfall in Silver Falls State Park. Only Double Falls, which is a double-drop waterfall, is taller at 178 feet. With a trail that allows people to walk behind the waterfall, this is the most visited waterfall within the park. Near the trail head is an ADA accessible viewing area for those who cannot walk down the steep slope to the bottom of the canyon. Also, keep in mind that pets are not allowed on the canyon trails.

 

 The Geology of South Falls

As you walk behind the waterfall, you can see gaping holes in the rock, and if you look closely enough, you can see the sedimentary rock of the Vantage Interbed. If you are feeling adventurous, you can climb onto this sedimentary rock to get a better view of a tree cast. This particular tree cast will have a hollow 'cast' of a tree with green mineral deposits on the sides. All of the gaping holes that you see from the trail that goes behind the waterfall are called 'erosional chimneys' as they are tree casst that have been eroded outward.

The History Of South Falls

Due to the fact that a small town was built where the present-day day use area is, the South Falls was one of the first waterfalls in the present-day park to be discovered by settlers. In those days, the locals explored the animal trails to see the waterfall. In the late 1800's, locals from a far away as Salem would ride their horses up to the the town to see the falls. By the early 1900's, a man known as D. E. Geise happened to own the piece of property that South Falls flowed over. As a way to make some money, he charged visitors a dime to see the waterfall, and a quarter to witness stunts, such as pushing Model T Fords off the top of the falls. One stuntman, the daredevil Al Faussett, climbed inside a rubber canoe filled with tires from early Fords and went over South Falls and survived with some bruised and broken bones. On March 21, 1931, Superintendent Samuel H. Boardman of the Oregon State Parks division of ODOT purchased the first 100 acres that would become Silver Falls State Park, which included South Falls.

 

If you feel like viewing South Falls yourself, make sure you take appropriate gear as it can be easy to slip in any season. Until next time, get outside and have some happy trails in the great Oregon Outdoors.