Time for another mini-road-trip out of the Willamette Valley to anywhere new. I have a few things tagged on google maps that I've stumbled across online. Things that I need to go back and research, and perhaps someday seek out. Today was one of those days. We went seeking Moulton Falls on the east fork of the Lewis River.
We stopped in Portland for a little snack to take along. We found Gluten Free Gem, a gluten free bakery just off of I-5. We saved our treats until we were out of Portland and off the freeway in Washington. Ron had an apple scone, that must have been the best scone I've ever had, gluten or non-gluten. It was that good. I had a chocolate donut, also good. And we have coffee cake waiting in the kitchen for an evening snack. Oh, and also the best green tea. I've ever had. This is now our go to snack stop for Portland. Yum!
Some of the best gluten free treats we've found! Photos courtesy of Gluten Free Gems map page.
Gluten Free Gem
A few things about Moulton Falls. I discovered this place from online photos. Beautiful photos of a bridge reflected in the waters. It's also the place where a young girl was pushed off the bridge by one of her friends who was getting impatient for her to jump. There was no reflection today, and the lighting was typical for winter in the pacific northwest - bland. But we weren't here to take photos. We needed a hike and an explore.
First off was to get that bridge pic from the bank of the river.
Moulton Falls Bridge
That done we hiked up to the bridge and over to a wide, relatively flat trail. This was a simple hike out and back. Looking at the map later, I think I could have connected this hike to the St. Lucia Falls hike mentioned below. Ah well, hindsight.
Many small falls running off the hillside.
Interesting trail marker.
Ron on Moulton Falls Trail
Yours truly and more little waterfalls
We hiked out about 2 miles until the river crossed under the railroad track and away from the trail. Here we chose to turn back and look for other trails to explore.
After returning to the parking lot we hiked a short trail down to the falls. The power of surging water so close is exhilarating. I don't think Ron likes my scrambling over rocks and boulders for a close up look. Of course that's my favorite thing to do.
Moulton Falls
The water dynamics here are spectacular to watch. I can't imagine running a kayak through it. Not just the volume of water and drop, but the sharp curves would be one wild ride.
What's different here?
Ron's first hike without eyeglasses! Cataract surgery and new peepers that he can see well enough to drive, hike, etc. Will need new glasses for astigmatism, but that's just to bring in the fuzzy details. He actually prefers glasses that are always on his nose instead of always hunting for his sunglasses ... reading glasses ... switching between the two. Lol, he finds that really annoying!
and now the artsy stuff
Next stop was back down the road for a short, 1 mile hike near St Lucia Falls. This is a hike that I think might be possible to connect to the Moulton Falls hike. St Lucia Falls is much larger. We hiked the trail then came back to scramble among the boulders and ponding water to get to the river's edge. No video of St. Lucia. My battery was nearly dead.
St Lucia Falls
Churning water below the falls
St Lucia. Notice the guy on the bank.
St Lucia Falls from the shore
St Lucia Falls from below
We stopped for lunch in Vancouver. Nothing special, just a Panda Express. Then off to Alder Creek Paddle shop before we head home.
Of course I had to have the most colorful ones!
I've been wanting to get a different paddle for my kayak for a few years now. A slight upgrade in materials (no, not carbon fiber), and more importantly a good deal shorter than my current paddle. I was just planning to look, but when they offered an extra 15% off, and with valentines day coming, well, Ron said Happy Valentines Day and bought the paddle. Now I totally want to go kayaking, like tomorrow! Thanks Hon!! Love ya!
Yes they do. Warning signs say not too, but of course that stops know one. We have a local bridge with the same problem. Ron’s sister jumped off that one, but she’s a bit of a dare devil.
Warning: Long post alert! A week or so ago Ron and I took a hike at Silver Falls State Park . Warm summer afternoons will find hundreds of people hiking at the park. It's a constant battle of passing slow hikers...usually in groups, and bumping past oncoming hikers. Not exactly a peaceful forest experience. Take a hike on a cool, wet afternoon, and you'll find far fewer hikers. The hike is called the Trail of Ten Falls . On this day we will visit 6 of the 10 falls, and be treated to a number of unofficial falls running off the slopes of the canyon. South Falls is probably the most visited of all the falls. It's close to the day use area, and can be viewed without hiking down the canyon. The trail goes behind the falls, but we opt to take the foot bridge for the better view. An aside, my co-worker claims to have repelled over South Falls (and came up short on rope). South Falls, 177 ft. Canyon Trail Off we go down the trail and to a series of stairs taking ...
March 1-2, 2026 Shake down cruise, er camp. Found us a teeny, tiny camper van to run about the countryside wreaking havoc wherever we go. Meet the new money pit. God help us it’s another Dodge, or rather a Ram. A Promaster with the infamous terrible transmission. What can we say it hit a price point that no Sprinter could meet. We actually adore her. I just hope she doesn’t fail us on some dark and lonely road. We spent too much time and money getting her appropriately outfitted, then took ourselves to the coast for a night of camping in the rain. If anyone knows our past camping history you would know it always includes rain. Fortunately the rain wrapped up over night and the next day was pretty nice. Spent some time at Yaquina Bay on Monday. The sea lions were busy hunting lunch and having a very successful hunt. The water was this wonderful color of blue and turquoise. Didn’t know it at the time but per another post the color is from herring that are spawning in the bay a...
Our son brought us along to be the voices of reason, strength in the face of temptation, shining examples ruled by the mind and not by passion. He probably should have brought someone else. He sold his pickup, and was looking for it's replacement, a four wheeled replacement that is. There were several options to be viewed up in Portland then after that a visit to one of the motorcycle stores to do a little shopping. I wanted try out some jackets - the never ending quest for the perfect jacket. We should have known it was a mistake to even point the car in the direction of Portland. We knew there was a bike up there, exactly what he was looking for. The whole auto shopping thing was just a ruse, a deception. We were really there to look at bikes. We were only fooling ourselves. I went to the apparel department, father and son went to the showroom. The bike of his dreams: 2006 Yamaha V-star 1100...with ape hangers Later when I joined them I found my own Yamaha...don'...
Tasty food, great hike in awesome scenery, and a present, what's not to love ;-)
ReplyDeletePeople actually jump off that bridge? Looks mighty dangerous.
Yes they do. Warning signs say not too, but of course that stops know one. We have a local bridge with the same problem. Ron’s sister jumped off that one, but she’s a bit of a dare devil.
DeleteSo you returning to kayak the falls…. Nice photos and videos. Really is a beautiful location!
ReplyDeleteRichard, well of course! Looks like a nice relaxing paddle down the river — Not! 🤣🤣🤣 I’m strictly a flat water girl!
DeleteIt really was a lovely area and only a couple hour drive. I don’t why we haven’t done more exploring here.
Nice pics, I liked the geometries of the wooden bridge and the view of the pebbles and rocks under the still, clear, water.
ReplyDeleteRon is like me, he always looks so enthused when having his picture taken. :)