Rain or shine the Oregon adventure continues on!
We made plans for the day over breakfast with friends.
We had decided to make our way into the Willamette National Forest,
via Highway 126.
We had decided to make our way into the Willamette National Forest,
via Highway 126.
The rain clouds looked as if they had decided to stick around for another day.
However, this was of little concern to our adventurous group.
We made our first stop along the route to explore Koosah Falls.
Koosah translates to "Sky" in the trade language native to this area.
The trade language developed as a way to allowed native people exchange goods and
information with others passing through the area. Records state that many native people including
Kalapuya, Molalla, Sahaptain, and Chinook once traveled and traded in this area.
Kalapuya, Molalla, Sahaptain, and Chinook once traveled and traded in this area.
Along the upper portion of the trail interpretive panels tell the story of area,
and explain a bit about the waterfalls.
The winding trail took us into the forest.
The sound of rushing water dominated the fresh pine scented air.
The sound of rushing water dominated the fresh pine scented air.
We followed the trail to the top of Koosah falls.
You could feel the power of the water raging down, as it cascaded over the 90 ft. drop.
You could feel the power of the water raging down, as it cascaded over the 90 ft. drop.
From this view point, low laying clouds could be seen hover over the river below.
An instant appreciation was gained for how far down the waterfall plunged.
An instant appreciation was gained for how far down the waterfall plunged.
We continued to follow the trail down to an observation area.
As we walked down the trail, our first glance of this beautiful waterfall peeked out from
behind a veil of evergreen, and maple trees.
The trail continued to the observation site where inviting weathered benches offered
a place to sit, and take in the spectacular view.
A closer look at the falls revealed a lovely shade of icy blue in the water, as it
cascades down into the river below.
We then arrived at the site of Sahalie or "Heaven" falls.
Here, under a log shelter we took refuge from a brief downpour before we
continued on the trail.
Interpretive panels around the upper portion of the trail greet visitors.
This panel told the story of the water cycle that helps to creates these amazing waterfalls.
Oregon is part of "The Ring Of Fire".
This area is a direct result of lava flow from erupting volcanoes, that had begun erupting
40 million years ago. The land was again changed into what we see today by volcanic
activity over 3,ooo years ago.
The storybook like trail then lead into the forest.
We followed the trail down to the observation site.
The sound of raging water grew louder as we continued on the path.
The path lead us to this view of Sahalie falls.
The amount of water cascading over this 120 ft. fall is tremendous.
The area around the falls is perpetually lush and green due to the amount of mist that is
generated from the cascading waterfall.
The amount of water cascading over this 120 ft. fall is tremendous.
The area around the falls is perpetually lush and green due to the amount of mist that is
generated from the cascading waterfall.
We then crossed over this lovely log bridge, that lead us back to the upper portion
of the trail.
of the trail.
As we made our way back to our starting point, the clouds in the sky began to break apart.
We took this break in the weather as an opportunity to continue this adventure into
the Willamette National Forrest.
Follow along on the next chapter of this adventure, as we explore Clear Lake.