Falls Creek Falls

Falls Creek Falls.  Photo by Jasper.

We love the hike to Falls Creek Falls in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  The trail follows Falls Creek, with spectacular views of the swift stream crashing over rocks and the music of the water filling the air.  The end of the trail at the falls has many large boulders which make perfect resting spots for a  picnic.  We hadn't been here since late summer two years ago.  Since then it seems the parking area has been greatly expanded, which is helpful.  We came at a great time, because there were many flowers we had never seen before in bloom.  There are two bridges along the trail, and the second one rises above a stream bed that we found dry in the late summer. But this time of year we found it roaring.  The hike to the falls is mainly uphill, but it's a gentle climb, and feels great on the way back.

Queen cup.

Pink wintergreen.

Broad-leaved starflower. Photo by Jasper.

Candystick.

Prince's pine.

Spotted coralroot orchid.

Bunchberry.  Photo by Jasper.

Inside-out flower.  Photo by Jasper.

Varied-leaf collomia.

Red columbine.

Tiny caterpillar.  Photo by Jasper.

Western coralroot orchid.

Spotted coralroot orchid.

Spider.  Photo by Jasper.

Bear grass.

Maple seeds.

Giant stonefly- California pteronarcys.

Giant stonefly- California pteronarcys.