Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

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Splintercat
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Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Splintercat » October 22nd, 2021, 6:19 pm

This is really part 2 of my Newton Creek hike, but thought I'd post it as a distinct hike since it would probably work that way for most. The route is from the Elk Meadows Trailhead to the Newton Creek Trail, then west on the Timberline Trail to Clark Creek and Heather Canyon. The main falls on Heather Creek is right along the trail, but I've also included an off-trail waterfall -- be sure to use LNT ethics if you do explore off-trail in this area!

This was the main goal: Heather Creek Falls -- right on the Timberline Trail, just west of Clark Creek:

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Sign at the Newton Creek/Timberline Trail junction -- head toward Timberline here:

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Approaching Clark Creek canyon - Heather Canyon is the colorful side canyon on the left:

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Mount Hood from the Clark Creek crossing -- an easy rock-hop this time of year:

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Last wildflower of the year? A single lupine growing in the sand flats along the floor of Clark Canyon:

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LOTS of Mountain ash berries this year -- and plenty of bear and deer droppings along the trail to prove their taste for these berries... ;)

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...another view of Heather Creek Falls:

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...and a wider view showing the lower tier:

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...and finally, one of the off-trail waterfalls:

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The fall colors up there are likely toast by now, but if you aim for early/mid-October, you can usually catch them at their prime!

-Tom :)

Webfoot
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Webfoot » October 22nd, 2021, 6:43 pm

Heather Canyon is beautiful in summer with the flowers but I had no idea that area had such lovely color in the fall. Thanks for the gorgeous photos through which to enjoy it. I'll try to see it in person next year.

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Chip Down
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Chip Down » October 23rd, 2021, 8:25 am

random tip: The falls featured above will be the crux of an early season hike in the Meadows area. Snow tends to be treacherous, and workarounds are a hassle.
Webfoot wrote:
October 22nd, 2021, 6:43 pm
I'll try to see it in person next year.
Master procrastinator! :lol:

Webfoot
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Webfoot » October 23rd, 2021, 11:42 am

Chip Down wrote:
October 23rd, 2021, 8:25 am
Master procrastinator! :lol:
I'll own that, but since Tom wrote "The fall colors up there are likely toast by now" I don't see an alternative?

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Splintercat
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Splintercat » October 27th, 2021, 5:08 pm

Yep, I'm pretty sure my day up there was the last for the season without a fair amount of snow/mud/slush along the trail, but more significantly, the blast of wet/cold weather has almost certainly stripped away the fall colors up there for the year. Definitely worth waiting until 2022! And yes, the summer wildflowers are pretty nice, too... can't go wrong there!

Tom :-)

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BaileyBoy
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by BaileyBoy » October 28th, 2021, 5:15 pm

Splintercat, you have an amazing eye for photos and the quality of your photos is exceptional. Thanks for taking the extra time to capture the natural beauty.

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Splintercat
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Splintercat » October 29th, 2021, 7:36 pm

Thank you, BaileyBoy -- much appreciated!

-Tom :)

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Don Nelsen
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Don Nelsen » October 30th, 2021, 5:44 am

Tom, you missed your calling! Every one of those photos is art gallery quality - or at the very least - calendar quality.

Thanks for brightening my day as I head out to the woods.

dn
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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Splintercat
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Re: Clark Creek and Heather Canyon (Oct 10)

Post by Splintercat » October 31st, 2021, 6:10 pm

Thank you, Don! Hope you had a good day out in the woods!

-Tom :-)

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