Central Oregon Trip Part 1 (Newberry Volcano)

My buddy Doug asked me if I wanted to hang out at his place in Bend for the Labor day since his wife would be out of town. This made me a little nervous that he was gonna try sumthin' LOL. So it was going to be adventure by day... Casa Doug by night. It sounded good to me especially if you toss in a prime rib sandwich from Bronco Billy's in Sisters Oregon!

The first day we headed to the Newberry volcano & Paulina peak. It was pretty cold and windy up there at 8,000 feet, but a great view. Then we went down to the trail through the obsidian flow. Later we walked around one of the lakes looking for some hot springs. Then to Paulina falls. It was increadable, but take a look for yourself! BTW Those Hard Mountain Wear quick dry shirts, like the one I wearing, are great!

09-06-09 Drift Creek Falls Trail

So the next weekend we headed back to the used bookstore for the 30% off sale and to check out the Drift Creek Falls trail. It was raining and windy when we left the house, no telling what it will be like over by the coast. I have seen it both ways before crappy at the house, but sunny and blue sky at the coast.



Along highway 18 we see buffalo. So we stopped to take a pic, notice the dark sky.

It's pouring rain and windy as we get close, so the plan is to hike the trail first and then hit the bookstore afterwards.



We arrive at the trail head parking lot just as the clouds open up and it really starts to pour. I open up the back of Julie's rig to get my pack and hiking boots out only to find that "Mr. Prepared" forgot his pack and hiking boots. Damn! I had them set out on the living room floor, but somehow forgot to grab them when loading up. ARGH! Well, we are here; I guess I am going as is.



The trail is listed as being 1 ½ Miles, so 3 miles round trip.



Apparently there is an alternate route, but we decide to stick to the main trail.



After about ¾ of a mile we hit a bad spot in the trail, part of it has fallen away. Not really any problem, just had to stay to one side.



Wow, this is the first time that I have seen Devil's Club with fruit/berries on it.



We spot a bridge ahead on the trail, which does not look like much of a bridge.



This can't be what all the hubbub is about.



The trail starts to rise now. Maybe we are getting close; I better stop taking pictures and catch up to Julie.



As we climb up the trail what do I see...? Is that the bridge?



WOW!



Here I am for a bit of scale. Notice the brass plaque on the bridge.



The plaque.



The bridge.

Drift Creek Falls Bridge Video, originally uploaded by Oregon Mike.

Bridge Video, sorry it's sideways. Anyone know how to fix it?



First view of the falls from the bridge.



Falls from the other end of the bridge, the tree gives it some scale.



The far end of the bridge.



Cables.



As we hike down to the bottom of the falls, I spot this bright colored tree fungus.



What a view.



...and now me, for a little more scale. The Bridge is a 240 feet long suspension bridge hovering 100 feet over the creek. The water fall is 75 feet tall.



Drift Creek Falls Video

Now a few more pics of the water fall from various angles:










Who's that bozo looking up?



This is a fairly short hike with incredible scenery, more than worth the hike. Julie and I hiked back and then went to the bookstore. I got some Oregon history and Northwest wild plant books. It was dinner time so we went back to Jack's Steak and Seafood one more time.



As the sun was going down we drove back home, tummies full and a story to tell.

A tribute to Scott Paul and Sahale bridge builders. Pics of the bridge construction.

--- Oregon Mike

Alsea Falls/Green Peak Falls Hike 8-15-09

Now that I have given up on ImageShack for picture hosting, I will give Flickr a try for this posting. Here goes...

Julie and I took a short hike to Green Peak Falls last weekend. It was warm but comfortable. We got a late start, but ended up having a great time. It's just a nice place for a hike and to see some trees and water falls.



Find the Deer in this pic and win a prize. Your prize is a picture of a deer.



This is the second fella that "greeted" us on the trail.



Here is our next greeter, Mr. Bushy Tail.



More of the Dinosaur plants, I need to find out what these really are. *EDIT* Looks like the Dino Plants may be Western Skunk Cabbage (Lysichiton americanus) Thanks Din!





The trail is still almost a freeway at this point.



I was too slow to catch a picture of another bushy tailed fella using the tree in the lower part of the pic as a bridge.



Sign.



Pretty bridge pic. This was some guys Eagle Scout project.



I think this stuff may be vine maple, but I am not sure at all. It is a neat little section of the trail.



...and looking back



Interesting little tree. I see these now and then, but this one I could get good shot of.



Tree with fungus?



Mossy tree.



Quite a few stumps up here with the notches from the old lumberjack spring boards. You see them now only at logging events and shows.



The top of Alsea falls.



This is Alsea falls.



Me at top of falls. Julie says that I need to learn how to pose for pictures.



She does a better job of posing.



The trail past Alsea falls.



Snake #2



Me at a large tree.



Me at Green Peak Falls.



View from the top looking down.



The calm top of Green Peak Falls




Falls over my shoulder.



Now to shimmy back down from the top.



Side view of Green Peak Falls.



Hollow cedar tree.



See you next trip.