Oregon Hikers

Opening pic, an icy Multnomah Falls and Benson Bridge (closed)





The historic lodge, where I've never eaten yet!



The bridge over Wahkeena Creek



Next up, an icy Horsetail falls



We had to see Ponytail, so on went the microspikes. Some real nice icicles hanging from the grotto behind the falls, some up to 7' long.









possible Sean Thomas creation?



Then on to a pretty treacherous Eagle Creek trail, where several cars were stuck in the snow in the parking lot, several long sections of thick ice covering the trail, and lots of large chunks of ice overhead. Pretty stable in the cold temps, but as it thaws this week, guaranteed to be very hazardous out there.









Kitty?





Metlako Falls



Lower Punchbowl Falls trail







A real nice outing despite the cold temps. If you go out Eagle Creek, please take precautions! Microspikes for sure, and possibly a climbing helmet for warmer temps out there this week. Last year it was pretty hairy in similar conditions on Wahclella Trail. When these ice formations let go, it could get dangerous.

You have two shots I really (really) like: the Eagle Creek panorama about 1/4 mile from the cars, and Metlako Falls from the viewpoint. There are other pictures I like, but these two were my favorites of the winter postings this week.

Thank you! I touched up a couple to make them better.

Beautiful photos! Let's all hope we get some more cold weather.

dn

Beautiful photos! Those icicles at Ponytail are crazy!

Your Metlako Falls picture is perhaps the last photo taken from that viewpoint. A video on another posting this week shows a misising vista.

Agreed! There was perhaps a week between when I took it and the time it collapsed around Christmas. First time I've seen it in the snow, and most likely the last!

You posted the print photo.

I did see a mountain lion in that area (mid-way up Larch Mt. Trail #441) in December 2015. The print in my photo is probably a little exaggerated in size due to melt, but it's still impressive. I did actually see the cat a couple hundred feet down Multnomah Creek Trail Way #444 as I headed back down towards Multnomah Falls, but it was too quick for me to get a photo.

nice!

That's another reason I prefer winters, animal tracks in the snow