A Hike to Falls Creek Falls

Wednesday, after getting grocery shopping done and food put away, we decided to drive 8 miles westbound on Route 20 (this is the route we are camping on, and also goes over the Cascades to Burlington - north of Seattle, and is also called the Cascade Loop) to the town of Winthrop.  We wanted to find the National Forest Service station and ask about trails, sights to see, etc.

Could not quite find it but I did find a quilt shop which was really weird.  As you walked into the shop you were in a cafe selling all kinds of pastries, coffees, sandwiches and salads.  Huh?  I thought this was a quilt shop.  But, turn the corner and in another room where you took your food to sit and eat were bolts of fabric, notions, etc.  A tidge weird.  Asked for directions to the Ranger station, left without buying anything (wow), and then spent some time talking with one of the rangers about places to visit, hike, sight see at the station.  Very helpful.  One hike she recommended, not far from where we were, was the Falls Creek Falls.  Off we went.

For once, a paved Forest Service Road!

Falls Creek

One of a few walks where wheelchair accessible

On a Forest Service Road but this one was paved, yay!  Passed some lovely homes tucked into the steep granite hills, most of them have the metal roofs that is so necessary due to fires.  Did pass an area that was really burned out, last August the Twisp fire roared through the canyon, no homes lost, thank goodness.

First glimpse of Falls Creek Falls

I can cross that, no problem!

The trail was wheelchair accessible, paved, and just a lovely day to walk in the woods.  Did see bear signs - tree stumps gouged out, did not see scat.  Heard the falls before we got to it.  The water was so crystal clear.  The smells of the forest, the birds singing, slight rustle of the wind, blue sky overhead.  Just opposite of the Falls trail was a campground, did see an RV set up and also a tent camper.  Lovely.  Just so peaceful.  The creek gurgling by.

Pretty

Creek  kept on our right on the way back to car

Came up to the waterfall, took a few pictures, then crossed the creek on a wooden plank.  No sniveling here.  Got up almost under the falls on the other side and took some more pics.  Just a lovely day in the wilderness!

Some one paddle boarding by

Looking up the Methow River towards Cascades

Later that evening we noticed some boarders going by on the Methow River in front of us, saw horses grazing across the banks, took a stroll down to the water.  Wonderful.