Western Oregon is filled with natural wonders that even less adventurous residents can discover for themselves. A recent article in the Eugene Register-Guard gave directions to three waterfalls east of Cottage Grove, OR in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains.
Each waterfall can be reached by a short trail winding through towering trees and lush undergrowth. Two of the waterfalls even have a picnic table near their base, so people can pack in a picnic lunch to sit and enjoy the falls longer.
This picture is of Moon Falls, which has an 80 foot drop and is spring fed. For me, spring is the best time to view waterfalls, since they're at their highest flow due to snow melt from the mountains upstream.
The hike to Moon Falls is the easiest of the three trails. It follows an old logging road bed for awhile that has been mostly reclaimed by nature. After about 0.3 miles the sound of running water can be heard and a glimpse of Moon Falls can be seen through the trees.
The pace increases in anticipation of the unblocked vista soon to be seen and photographed. The result, as you can see in the picture, does not disappoint.
I could spend every weekend for decades exploring the beauty of western Oregon within a two-hour radius of my Eugene, Oregon home.
Comments(5)