Between Cory and I, I am the hiker. He goes on nearly all the hikes I do but he doesn’t love it quite as much as me. I would go every day if it were feasible (which is why we did the 150 hike challenge in 2019 and I came in at 157). However, Cory has a great time climbing on rocks (boulders) and being near water. Falls Creek Falls in Gifford Pinchot National Forest has both of these and that’s probably why it’s Cory’s favorite.
It is a beautiful place and a fun one to go to on a frequent interval as the seasonal changes are really awesome. If you feel inspired you can even go up at the fork and hike to the top of the falls and beyond. A note on that idea: It seems to go on forever. We turned around after going a few miles up there and made our round trip adventure total right at 16 miles. It is stunning as you can see across the mountains and there are little to no signs of human life up there.. but bring water and be prepared to know when to turn around. There won’t be signs to tell you.
Cory on his favorite trail. (You can’t tell very well in photos but there are many dogwood trees through the understory that bloom in spring. )
Looking over the first bridge you cross.
Pink wildflowers
We have only ever seen one or two of these on a trail at a time in spring if seeing any at all. This time we saw tons of them throughout the hike. It was awesome.
A close up of one of the fairy slipper orchids pictured above.
Standing on a bridge and looking up, this stream totally dries up in summer.
Standing on a bridge looking out and below. This is the same stream as pictured above, and is one that will be totally dried up in summer.
You can just see the top of the falls in the distance and so know you are getting close.
Falls Creek Falls
Trillium flower. They can live to be very old and take a long time to bloom. Don’t pick them, as that can easily kill them.
Artwork inspired by Falls Creek Falls:
1st iteration of this falls, for Cory for Christmas. Acrylic on wood panel.
Woodcut collaboration with Cory. Acrylic on MDF with woodcut designed by me and cut with scroll saw by Cory and framed by Cory.