Clearwater Falls. Getting Near the End.
Whew, it's now over a week since our epic hiking day on Monday, July 3. We ultimately visited 7 different waterfalls along the North Umpqua River watershed. My plan had been for 8- well, my plan had been for 6, then we added two easy ones mid-afternoon knowing that either or both of the last two longer ones might fall off the plan as we get near the end of our energy (and time, too).
Hike number 6 was Clearwater Falls. Along with Whitehorse Falls it's one of the short ones we added late in the day. From the quiet parking lot it was a level walk of less than 100 meters to a wooden viewing platform with benches.
The Clearwater River gets its name from the exceptional clarity of its water. It bubbles up from springs about a mile upstream from this falls. The water in those springs flows through multiple layers of dried lava (laid down like layers on a layer cake by successive eruptions further up the mountain) that filter it out quiet well. They also keep it at a consistent flow across the year despite the otherwise heavy spring melt cycle followed by summer and fall drought.
Maybe it's the gentle, consistent flow of the water, but this area is popular with mosquitos. They hadn't been a factor on other trails today, but here I was slapping them two and even three at a time. Maybe it's the elevation over 4,000' where they've just hatched for the summer. At least these young'uns are easy to swat. They're like, "Hey, mom, look, I can fly! Buzz, buzz!" Then *splat* with my hand.
While Hawk waited down at the viewing platform, not able to walk further than that (she was still recovering from a muscle tear 2 weeks earlier), I scrambled up a short but steep path along the side of the falls, swatting mosquitoes the whole time. There were nice views from right next to the falls, shown above. I also picked my way out atop the falls and got Hawk's attention to take a picture. I'll have to get a copy of that one from her.
Hike number 6 was Clearwater Falls. Along with Whitehorse Falls it's one of the short ones we added late in the day. From the quiet parking lot it was a level walk of less than 100 meters to a wooden viewing platform with benches.
The Clearwater River gets its name from the exceptional clarity of its water. It bubbles up from springs about a mile upstream from this falls. The water in those springs flows through multiple layers of dried lava (laid down like layers on a layer cake by successive eruptions further up the mountain) that filter it out quiet well. They also keep it at a consistent flow across the year despite the otherwise heavy spring melt cycle followed by summer and fall drought.
Maybe it's the gentle, consistent flow of the water, but this area is popular with mosquitos. They hadn't been a factor on other trails today, but here I was slapping them two and even three at a time. Maybe it's the elevation over 4,000' where they've just hatched for the summer. At least these young'uns are easy to swat. They're like, "Hey, mom, look, I can fly! Buzz, buzz!" Then *splat* with my hand.
While Hawk waited down at the viewing platform, not able to walk further than that (she was still recovering from a muscle tear 2 weeks earlier), I scrambled up a short but steep path along the side of the falls, swatting mosquitoes the whole time. There were nice views from right next to the falls, shown above. I also picked my way out atop the falls and got Hawk's attention to take a picture. I'll have to get a copy of that one from her.