Oregon Coast 2013 Day 1 and 2

 

I had originally planned on doing the southern coast as well as The Redwoods this year, however between planning it with a large group and waiting too long we could not find a place to accommodate all of us except up north in Lincoln City. No worries, I do love the mid-northern coast, even if we have done it a few times now.

Day one consisted of the drive through Idaho and into Oregon. We typically stay in Baker City as our halfway point but it was booked solid this year for a bikers convention.

I love the mountains just north of Ogden. (Drive By Photography (DBP) Album)

Burnt section somewhere in northern Utah. (DBP)

Yellow fields and clouds.

The 1st rest stop just across the Idaho border has these beautiful flowers.

Other than that, this is pretty much Idaho. Blah. (DBP) There is some pretty if you know where to look for it, but it is all off highway.

Snake River. (DBP) I believe we are in Oregon now.

Creepy abandoned house.

We made it to La Grande which is about an hour past Baker City. You know, now that this trip is over I think this is the preferred method. Shoot for about an hour past halfway. The 2nd day of just driving is always a little rougher, so taking an hour off of it is worth it.

Some elk at the beginning of the Blue Mountains.(DBP)

The view coming down from Dead Mans Pass. (DBP)

Towards the bottom of the mountains. The horizon here freaks me out. It looks like the world just comes to an abrupt end.

I had the crop the image in a little but, but you can just make out Mt St Helens from here. I am pretty sure this is Mt. St. Helens because it looks flat topped, but it could be Mt. Hood. Either way we’re only about.. 150 miles away. Wow.

First glimpse of the Columbia River. (DBP)

Again very faint, but now I can definitely tell I am looking at Mount Hood. We are still over 100 miles away this is just awesome.

Getting closer it is a lot more visible.(DBP)

Cool old train bridge over the Columbia. (DBP)

Mount Hood (DBP)

You get a quick glimpse of Mt. St. Helens from Hood River.

The Columbia. (DBP)

We hit The Multnomah Falls area again. We opted not to visit Multnomah Falls itself this year as I had other plans. This is Wahkeena Falls from the trail head.

Some pretty flowers in the stream below.

The trail up to Wahkeena Falls is very pretty.

Wahkeena Falls.

The stream below it.

The falls above the falls.

And the falls proper.

Last year I was hoping to see Fairy Falls and I was certain they are located above this waterfall, however there is no trail marker for it and I forgot my trail guide so we hiked up a bit past this and then I got confused and wasn’t sure so we turned back. This year I came prepared. Not only did I know for certain it was here, I had a map!

Pretty moss covered wall.

This flower has a star shaped wispy faze.

View of the Columbia.

Old sign. We discovered the trail to the left was closed most likely indefinitely.

This trail is really pretty.

Moss.

Switchbacks. Oi. I counted 12 for the first section before the overlook.

After the rough UP switch backs, and opting to do the overlook later, we made it to a forested gorge.

It follows the pretty creek. I love trails that follow a creek.

The creek is absolutely beautiful!

The trail has switched from paved to natural.

Mess of roots.

For a brief moment I thought we had reached Fairy Falls, this was absolutely gorgeous!!! But, we weren’t quite there yet. This is where is where 2 separate creeks join.

 

Just up one more switchback, I rounded the corner and there was an audible gasp. Holy crap this is a pretty waterfall. At only 20 feet it doesn't seem like much against all the other waterfalls in the area but wow! it is just stunning.

It falls over columnar basalt and fans out. this is truly a pretty waterfall.

I wish I had not caught it in full sun, but I will take what I get.

Just WOW look at those cascades!

Beautiful.

I think this is my new favorite waterfall in this area. Compared to most it is tiny, but it is just amazingly beautiful and definitely worth the hike at about 1.3 miles strait up.

And it isn’t even the main creek.

Back the the area below.

Pretty flowers.

Pretty cascades.

Pretty flower.

Orange raspberries?

Giant clover!

Pretty forest shot.

Moss and water.

 

View from the lookout below.

Pretty flowers.

Different angle back down at Wahkeena Falls.

And the paved trail below.

A view on the road below.

Wahkeena Creek. The falls are hidden behind the trees. I think that rock outcropping to the left is where the view point is.

I really love this area and one day I would like to claim that I have seen all of the many waterfalls it has to offer. Ticked another one off this year, but it was time we got on down the road.

Nearing Portland you get another glimpse of Mt St. Helens. (DBP)

We reached the coast! Here is the lovely view from our back deck.

Well this was a surprise. We thought we were right on the beach. They were pretty creative with their photos and description! Meh, no matter. We’ve stayed on the cliff before and there is beach below us this time.

175 steps later we reached the beach. It is basically deserted round here so that is a nice benefit.

I was fairly certain this was not just another seagull. Didn’t have my telephoto so this is a crop of the original image, but yep. That would be a bald eagle. That’s pretty cool!

Cool texture!

We even have some sea rocks.

Beautiful ocean.

Every little object has a sand tail as the wind blows the sand away.

Windswept beach.

Another pretty sunset shot.

Venus setting.

I love the moonlight reflected off the ocean.

You can see quite a few more stars here then back home, and I think I even spy some of the Milky Way here.

Already a good start to our vacation! There is plenty more to share with you, so be sure to come back.