Waterfalls visited in February 2006 - Part 2 of 3

To recap, my February waterfall total is 15. The first post covered the six waterfalls I saw in Uvas Canyon. This post will cover:

WASHINGTON STATE, OLYMPIC PENINUSLA

While I was in Washington the weekend of the 10th, I saw 4 waterfalls - Falls View Falls, Rocky Brook Falls, Marymere Falls, and Madison Falls and climbed Mt Walker. I had a lot of fun seeing these four waterfalls and climbing Mt Walker with my three companions. It was an awesome weekend that I was sad to see end. There was a bit of a catch to the last two waterfalls that I visited during that Saturday though... I saw Marymere and Madison Falls at night so I didn't get good pictures of them, but, hiking with mainly the moon for light was pretty darn cool.


Falls View Falls - Rating 3


The first stop of the day was Falls View Falls. This waterfall was on the other side of the canyon so we were not able to get very close to it (too bad for me because the closer I can get the better!). It was a nice waterfall to take in though, the morning was really sunny and it was a great day to be outside breathing in fresh air.




Rocky Brook Falls - Rating 4.5


Rocky Brook Falls was a bit of a surprise. One minute you are walking down a pretty wide path next to a relatively flat but pretty creek, the next, you turn a corner and bam there it is! This waterfall definitely has the wow factor. It doesn't quite parylize you in wonder, but it does make you pause for a while to take it in. I have noticed (after having seen more waterfalls in WA in March) that the rocks/branches/logs around Washington waterfalls are pretty slippery. I took off my shoes to get close to the bottom of this one because it was way to slippery to go up there with my boots on.

Mt Walker, Madison Falls, & Marymere Falls

This was the order of visiting for the rest of that Saturday. Mt Walker was a 4 mile roundtrip, 2000 ft elevation gain hike on a really well maintained trail. The view from the top was quite nice as well (just watch out for the agressive birds!) Since Madison & Marymere falls were quite a drive from Mt Walker, we didn't make it in time to see them in daylight. Why waste an opportunity to see a waterfall though!!! We made the drive, so we had to make the hike. Fortunately these waterfalls were accessable via well kept trails and I am glad that I had the opportunity to see them from a different perspective. I also like to have the waterfall all to myself and it was good to see them away from the crowds.

Waterfalls visited in February 2006 - Part 1 of 3

February's waterfall total was 15.

I had two amazing trips to Washington (count = 4) and Northern California (count = 5) bookended by two hikes to Uvas Canyon (count = 6).

UVAS CANYON COUNTY PARK

I visited Uvas Canyon on the 4th and then again on the 25th. The park is a bit out of the way to get too, but once you are there and the minute you see water, it becomes almost enchanting. There are six official waterfalls, but Swanson creek, which runs through the middle of the park, has a lot of little cascades as well. My waterfall book mentioned that it was a waterfall lovers paradise and I totally agree. Between the two hikes, I was able to see all six - Uvas Falls, Granuja Falls, Black Rock Falls, Upper Falls, Basin Falls and Triple Falls. My favorite is Uvas Falls with Basin Falls running a close second. Pictures are below with my ratings (please see my previous waterfall ratings post for descriptions of what the ratings mean).

Uvas Falls - Rating=3



I will visit this waterfall again. I saw this one on my second visit to the park. Water levels were down quite a bit from the first time I was there so I would be very interested to see this waterfall when there was more water present.







Granuja Falls - Rating=2.25



I gave this one a 2.25 (instead of just 2) because there is a very pretty little bridge that you can stand on for viewing. For that reason, and because you have to pass it anywhere you go in the park, I would go out of my way to see it.







Black Rock Falls - Rating= 2.75



I liked this waterfall a lot better the first time I saw it. In fact it was one of my favorites until I saw it for a second time. It looks better with more water in it. This photo was taken the first time I viewed it.








Upper Falls - Rating=3



This waterfall is fun to be around. When there is a lot of water the pool at the base of this waterfall looks really cool. When the water level is lower it is very therapeutic to sit at the top on some of the rocks up there.








Basin Falls - Rating=3



The approach to this waterfall really adds to the experience. Also, the closer you get to it, you see that there is an actual basin like pool at the base of the main fall. It also generates more wind than any other waterfall in the park.







Triple Falls - Rating=1.25



This one was really out of the way to get to. I have to say though, I will see this waterfall at least one more time. The author of the book I mentioned above said that this was her favorite in the park so I have to give it another chance to redeem itself.







Stay tuned for parts 2 & 3!