I was gonna title this TR "from head to toe", but that wouldn't be correct. I started my adventure at Chush Falls, which is a few miles downstream from where Wychus Creek rises below Broken Hand, and I finished my adventure at Alder Springs, which is a few miles upstream from where Wychus Creek joins the Deschutes.
And no, the body parts don't refer to anything that got wet. I was careful; I didn't fall in.
Since no hiking parter materialized for my rare spur-of-the-moment day off, I opted to just stick to the trails. and round out the day with a visit to Alder Springs. My route was straight from Scott's Bend, Overall 2nd edition, trips 47 & 86.
The 2012 Pole Creek fire did a number on the road going to Chush Falls. In fact the FS abandoned the original trailhead for a spot about a mile back. So the first half of the trail is on old road thru a 100% burn zone. There ain't nothin left but charred trees and mineral soil. But nature has such a vigor to regenerate. There were several bits of lushness by small streams, even though all the trees and duff have been completely obliterated. But there was at least enough in the streams to water a puppy..
There's a cool spot along the way by the creek where it glides over flatrock. Puppy was rather mollified after I yelled at her to stay away from the current!
And the payoff is so worth it. Chush is one freaky falls. I love how it spreads out to both sides; for such a small stream it makes a monster waterfall!
But it gets better. The upper waterfall is just plain awesome!
After reading the entries in waterfalls NW, I'm pumped to go explore the rest. But definitely not solo. It's easy navigation, but dangerous and fragile country.
But on the way back, I just couldn't help myself. I noticed where Snow Creek went thru some pretty steep contours, and wondered if a waterfall might be hiding there. I found an abandoned forest road that was easy to follow leading in that direction. And much to my suprise, there was this sad remnant of a bridge crossing Snow Creek!
Not only had it been burned to a crisp in 2012, but the abutments had been completely washed out. I first assumed the washout was another tragic result of the fire, until I realized the bridge was burned well below where the abutments would have been. Some previous washout, I suppose.
Snow Creek did indeed crash down thru a steep canyon, but no obvious waterfall. But being solo, I opted to not explore very far. However, I did find some lovely cascades.
And a fair amount of happy little wildflowers. I have no idea what these were, but I would call them baby balsamroot:
A quick stopover in Sisters for a huckleberry milkshake at BJ's. It was satisfying, but unfortunately made with regular ice cream. Note, the best milkshakes are always made with vanilla soft-serve, with flavoring added. But I'm not complaining....
