Oneonta Gorge

We had hiked in the Oneonta Gorge before, on the Horsetail Falls loop trail, and we'd been told that Oneonta Creek could be explored by wading.  On a hot summer day, we decided to give it a try!  There were lots of families there, but we didn't feel like it would be better if we'd been there alone.  The walls of the canyon made us feel like we were inside a cathedral, and all the families gave it a festive atmosphere and made us feel safer. The logjam that you must scale is formidable, and there are places you must wade that are deep and cold and made me gasp even on a hot day.  Friendly folks looked out for each other and exchanged tips.  Our destination was a stunning waterfall.   

Scaling the logjam.

Cascades frogs were abundant.

We saw something moving in this cave in the gorge wall.  A flash picture revealed a den of baby skunks!

A tiny cascades frog.

Jasper found lots of fast baby trout.

Harebell.

Male pine white butterfly.

This one looks more like a red-legged frog (less distinct mask and reddish legs) but it was caught only on camera!