Beautiful Falls and Fall

When we returned from Kahneeta after Labor Day and it rained for two weeks, we congratulated ourselves on beating the odds and having good weather for our annual vacation in the heat. Then we had an Indian Summer with warm (even hot!) days in the sun. But, being Oregon, the rain returned and we said, "Oh, see, the weather has turned, it is Fall." The beautiful red and orange leaves bore us out and we prepared for the "wet" season. But Saturday and Sunday at the coast we were rewarded with two more gorgeous days once again. What beautiful weather we had!! We ate breakfast on the porch and shed our jackets in the sun. I ran with my running buddy, Riley, and he headed straight for the waterfall to drink as soon as we hit the yard. Mike suggested, on Saturday, that we should try to find the remote and beautiful waterfall he and Jeremy had re-found (after 15 years) in August. We drove out to Highway 53 and through the gates opened for hunting season. After many "left-turn" detours without success, we decided we needed more direction from Jeremy. We tried again on Sunday (no left turns necessary) and were successful. Peter and Kathleen followed us, but bailed out barely short of the goal. Something about a gas gauge! Right!!! The reward was great, even though I thought once (and maybe twice) before I followed Mike down the hidden rope and then a slippery slope with Vine Maple hand holds, to where we could see, hear and feel the falls. I have included photos here of the waterfall as well as of some of the beautiful fall foliage we enjoyed. This lovely waterfall is in a sort of slot canyon on the Grassy Lake Creek that flows from the coast range down towards Hwy 53 and Nehalem. There is a hidden rope in the trees off the side road leading to an old quarry. I would have never seen the rope but for Mike's sharp eyes. The first part is steep but entirely possible with the rope. The rest is less steep, but one can easily grab the Vine Maples and the Deer Fern to steady the descent. Unfortunately, at this time of year, the large boulders surrounding the falls are slick with wet moss and cannot be negotiated to reach the rocky beach below. But the falls were large and vigorous due to the recent rains and very, very beautiful!
On the way back we discovered springs trickeling from banks and some lovely fall foliage. All in all, it was a fine day and we hope to return to the falls when the rocks are not so slippery and we can explore more of the little, narrow canyon. We'd also like to see if Peter can go the route and actually see this beautiful, hidden treasure.