Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Nov 8)

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Splintercat
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Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Nov 8)

Post by Splintercat » November 10th, 2014, 10:51 am

Spent Saturday morning at Elowah Falls (and a few other spots) in the Gorge, capturing what's left of our very abbreviated fall colors this year. LOTS of people in the Gorge -- I drove back along the scenic highway through waterfall alley and over Crown Point in mid-afternoon, and it was JAMMED! Wow. Portlanders getting their last fix of sun before the big gray, I suppose..! :lol:

Some pics from the trip, starting with the handsome section line marker near the trailhead:

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I love the Civilian Conservation Corps legacy on this trail system - holding up nicely after 80 years of boot traffic!

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Lots of new growth on the licorice ferns:

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Pano-view from above Elowah Falls (super-wide merge of 3 vertical images taken with an 11mm lens - you can even see the cliff section of the trail in the extreme upper right!):

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One of the old pipelines on the trail to Upper McCord Falls:

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Trail along the cliff section:

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Already somewhat wintery-looking Columbia River from the cliffs above Elowah Falls:

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Some tiny cliff-dwellers along the catwalk section of trail:

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On the way back down to the trailhead, I ran into our very own Jaimito with his two boys - he's a great dad! :)

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I do this hike at least twice a year - close, short and always has lots of families with little kids, something I really enjoy seeing out on the trail!

Tom :)

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bobcat
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Oct 8)

Post by bobcat » November 10th, 2014, 3:30 pm

Great fall photos of little details on that trail! It's my favorite short hike to take first-time visitors . . .

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Splintercat
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Oct 8)

Post by Splintercat » November 10th, 2014, 8:58 pm

Me too, Bobcat! Though the one thing it lacks is a TH toilet -- I make a point of circling back to the Ainsworth restroom upon arrival (with visitors) to ensure everyone has a chance to visit a proper loo (flush, no less!) before we hit the trail... :D

Tom :)

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markesc
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Oct 8)

Post by markesc » November 10th, 2014, 9:15 pm

Solid waterfall shot!!!!

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Peder
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Oct 8)

Post by Peder » November 11th, 2014, 1:43 am

That is always a very beautiful and varied hike. Tom beware, if you really think that we are still in October (see your TR title), Christmas will ambush you!
I ran into our very own Jaimito with his two boys - he's a great dad!
He obviously is a great dad, as he selected a very kid friendly hike for his children!
Some people are really fit at eighty; thankfully I still have many years to get into shape…

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Splintercat
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Oct 8)

Post by Splintercat » November 11th, 2014, 8:26 am

Oops... thanks, Peder... it goes with saying that time is flying by for me this fall..! :lol:

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mjuliana
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Nov 8)

Post by mjuliana » November 11th, 2014, 9:55 am

Love that waterfall shot. For some reason, this a hike I've never done. Need to change that.
Thanks,
Mike J

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Splintercat
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Nov 8)

Post by Splintercat » November 11th, 2014, 12:45 pm

It's an excellent winter hike, Mike - but plan on getting wet crossing the footbridge at the base of the falls when it's really roaring! :D

@Chris: saw your Hood alpenglow pic on Fox12 last night - nice!

Tom :)

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woodswalker
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Nov 8)

Post by woodswalker » November 20th, 2014, 8:24 am

I love the cliff dweller photos and I always enjoy section markers. They satisfy my inner map geek.
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Lurch
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Re: Last shades of Autumn at Elowah Falls (Nov 8)

Post by Lurch » November 20th, 2014, 11:15 am

Oh good ol' PLC-3024.... Multiple whiskey bottles supposedly buried around that thing by surveyors gone by ;)

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