Lost Jetty on Highway 84

On the way back from the Columbia Gorge, Marc had been eyeing a jetty he’s seen in the Columbia River since we moved here so we decided to see if we could find a way to get down to the jetty. And we did. The exit is Dalton Point and a short 1/4 mile down to a dirt/sand trail that leads to a very rocky shoreline. It’s an ankle-turning hike to the first jetty. Marc managed well, as he always does on that kind of surface (I think he’s half goat), his sister and I gave up trying. We didn’t make it to the second jetty, we will have to go back there for that one.

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park

Lower North Falls.

It is well worth the trek because you can walk behind the falls and see it from the other side.

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park

Lower North Falls.

There is an awesome set of stairs (99 steps, I counted) going down to the falls and that proved quite exhausting on the way back up.

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park

Lower North Falls.

From Upper North Falls, you turn around and follow the trail back past the trailhead and continue on to Lower North Falls, less than 1/8 mile from trailhead.

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park

This was the last of two waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, we have already seen and posted the other 8 waterfalls in this state park. This is one of our favorite state parks and I’m sure we will visit it again and again.

 

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park

The rapids forming a lovely swirling circle in the water.

North Falls at Silver Falls State Park

Upper North Falls

Our hike started with the Upper North Falls – a short 1/3 mile the North Falls trailhead.
It was an easy hike on a dirt path along the river with some lovely smaller rapids.

 

A stroll on Mount Hood, part I

Only 1 mile from upper Government Camp to the lower but the tail was through heavy forest breaking out every now and again into sunlit meadows covered in wildflowers.

A stroll on Mount Hood, part II

A stroll on Mount Hood, part III