"Perfectly Beautiful"
4/1/16
Start Time: 6:50am
Finish Time: 8:20am
Miles: 2.6 (90% of GPS)
Time: 1 hr, 30 min
Avg MPH: 1.7
Elev Min: 150'
Elev Max: 600'
Elev Change: +450'
Total Ascent/Descent: 600'
Temp Low: 40
Temp High: 45
Other hikers: 3
Longest time without seeing a hiker: About an hour
Wildlife: None notable
Trail Conditions: Very good
Favorite Part: Seeing the sunrise over the Gorge in my opening shot
Least Favorite Part: It's pretty short and straight forward
Opening Shot:
Sunrise as I'm starting my hike
I did the loop counter-clockwise and climbed about 500' right out of the gate and saw some Western Trillium early in the bloom when it was purple...
...and later in the bloom when it's white
There was a great viewpoint area where I was able to see back towards Portland in addition the the "opening shot" down the Gorge.
After leveling out on the climb I came out to be perched over the top of Lower Latourell Falls...it's a long way down!
I continued up the right side of the creek and quickly arrived to Upper Latourell Falls
After crossing over the creek and coming back down I finally got a good view of Lower Latourell Falls. My understanding is that this is one of the higher waterfalls that drops completely from top to bottom without the water hitting anything on the way down.
As I wrapped up the hike I saw some Western Bleeding Heart...
...and Dame's Rocket
It looks like Google Earth thought I got too close to the edge by the lower falls. I promise I didn't jump!
This is quite an easy and short hike, good for the family with two great falls to view and quite close to Portland. The trail was in good shape with hardly even a mud spot to dodge.
-GoalTech
P.S. Please let me know if you think my flower identification is off...thanks.
P.P.S. Check out my other trip reports at http://www.GoalTechHikes.com
