February 10, 2013

Breaking in our new hiking buddy Leyla, we headed towards the Dalles catching waterfalls along the way.  Our first stop was Camp Benson Falls.  Along the path we got a pretty view.

When we got there, we took some time to take in the view.  Leyla took in the breeze.

#48  Camp Benson Falls  (off-trail ~ moderate access)

Continuing along we headed off to our next stop, Harrison Falls.  I wasn't feeling 100% today and my balance was off making it a little tricky getting up the slope to get this shot.  The view was worth it though.

#49  Harrison Falls  (off-trail ~ moderate access)

Not wasting any time we went to starvation creek for the next set of waterfalls.  Cabin Creek Falls is unique because it's sits behind a rather large rock outcropping.  Which does make getting a good shot a bit challenging.

#50  Cabin Creek Falls  (trail ~ easy access)

Heading down the trail I grabbed a picture of an ant hill that just keeps getting bigger every year.

Eventually we got Hole-in-the-Wall Falls.  The creek originally dropped at a different location and was called Warren Falls.  Sadly it was moved creating this new waterfall.  Grabbed a quick picture of the three of us before continuing on.

#51  Hole-in-the-Wall Falls   (trail ~ easy access)

Back at the parking lot to Starvation Creek we headed up to the falls.  Unfortunately wasn't my day for scrambling, so I grabbed a lower shot.  Thankfully Timothy doesn't have those days and grabbed a better shot.

#52  Starvation Creek Falls  (trail ~ easy access)

Starvation Creek Falls   (off-trail ~ moderate access)

After driving for a short distance we came up on a waterfall behind a hotel.  It's too bad we can't get a shot from the bottom.

#53  Wah Gwin Gwin Falls  (trail ~ easy access)

Leyla grabbed a picture of us, we look quite small in comparison.  I got a picture of her on the bridge.

Back in the car onward we went.  Next stop we hiked past a cemetery and came to Mosier Falls.  Resting up we had lunch in the cemetery.  Since it was a chilly day we enjoyed basking in the sunlight.

#54  Mosier Falls  (trail ~ moderate access)

On the way to see last fall on the Oregon side we stopped to take a few pictures at Mosier's Totem.  There were some interesting bugs that were warming in the sunlight.  Got a silly picture of Leyla before carrying on.

Finishing up on the Oregon side we grabbed a shot of Cushing Falls.

#55  Cushing Falls  (off-trail ~ easy access)

Crossing over the Dalles bridge we started in on the Washington side.  First stop was Eight Mile Creek Falls.  I'm usually good about making sure our discovery pass is up to date, unfortunately I found it was a day late.  Considering we were all the way out there we put the pass up and rushed to grab the shot.

#56  Eight Mile Creek Falls  (off-trail ~ moderate access)

Looking back at the road I took in the view.  Strangely we noticed ancient pictographs... wonder what they mean.  The landscape was really pretty so I had to get another picture.

Luckily when we got back to the car there was no ticket.  With the sun getting low we pressed on.

Just up an old road was the first waterfall.  Last year the fall was dried up, so it was nice to see a good flow this year.  Leyla liked the waterfall.

#57  Lower Labyrinth Falls  (trail ~ easy access)

After a little hike we came up on Labyrinth Falls, makes sense they call it that because the trails are like a labyrinth.  The falls was slightly tucked away, but still got an ok shot of it.  Standing on a rock ledge Timothy has a way of finding interesting ways to get the shot he wants.

#58  Labyrinth Falls  (trail ~ moderate access)

Of course Timothy also has an eye for catching caves and a need for checking them out.  Lucky for him no animal decided to take a nip at him.

On our way back we noticed a strange rock.  Can you see the face?  With the sunset at our back we worked our way to the car.

I can't help myself from taking a million pictures, so I had to get another shot of Lower Labyrinth Falls.  Finishing up with Leyla kissing the day away.