PDX Road Trip Pt. 2

Stopped off at the Oneota Gorge/Falls on the way into Portland after spending the night at a gorgeous campsite right on the Deschutes River at the confluence with the Columbia. Had to get wet, real wet to get back to the falls. And even then it would have taken a swim to get all the way back there. Photo gear, no swim trunks and 50 drizzly degrees prevented that from happening. But it was spectacular nonetheless. 

PDX Road Trip Pt. 1

Took a trip to Portland a couple of weeks ago to stock up on project supplies as they are a bit slim in the pickin's department here in Bend. My favorite of favorite places, The Rebuilding Center, is loaded with little things that makes my heart go pitter patter. It's essentially a huge warehouse filled with building/home materials looking for another go 'round. And since Portland has more early 1900's bungalows this side of SF, it's exactly what I'm looking for. Anyways, I took the loooong way there, stopping off at a few abandoned farmhouses, rivers and waterfalls along the way. 

Linton Falls

Saw this trailhead on my way to Proxy Falls and thought I'd come back for a visit before the old McKenzie pass closes for the winter. The trail is actually marked for Linton Lake, which is rather unspectacular other than the fact that the lake doesn't have an exit stream of any sort. It just percolates down into the earth to pop up somewhere else. The falls are about a 1/2 mile upstream from the lake and it's a tough, unmarked hike to get there. I wanted to see if I could get to the top of this super steep valley past the falls, but it got so steep and mossy that Willy was having a hard time, so we turned back a mile or so up. The lake and falls are just kind of average for Oregon's standards, but the colors on the trail leading to them were erupting! So I spent most of my time trying to capture the gorgeous maples. Oh, and there happened to be a SPECTACULAR sunset on the way home. 

The Crew

1,2,3,4!! I know, 4 dogs, but I love 'em! Miko, Jack, Willy and Roxy. 

Fall at Proxy Falls

If you've never been before, Proxy Falls (upper and lower) off of the Old McKenzie Hwy, are well worth the trip. They are both a short hike off of the highway and the lower falls is one of the most spectacular I've seen in Oregon. And this time of year makes it even more so, with the colors of fall all along the trail leading there. And make sure you don't just stop at the main viewing spot, as the trail that leads to the base of the falls takes you to the best spots.