52 Hike Challenge ~ Hike 11: Silver Falls

Monday: a scheduled CC break, a break in the rain-filled forecast, and a break from parenting.

Russ had been out of town since Friday morning, and he returned this morning.

After hiking on Saturday, Lola declared, “Mom, hiking is not my thing. It is not healthy for me. I will die if I have to hike again.” [Granted, this was said right after a strenuous hike in the rain.]

Luke bailed part way through Saturday’s hike. Levi was icing his knees. Leif is unpredictable in his attitude.

So I decided to leave the kids with Russ, take off by myself today, and appreciate the solitude.

It didn’t occur to me that we had had some flurries of snow at our house on Sunday (didn’t stick) and that Silver Falls is up in the mountains.

Look at what the kids missed.

50 minutes from home.

Almost 4 miles hiked.

7 big waterfalls.

Snow, sunshine, and blue skies.

Spectacular.

These are the South Falls.

Lower South Falls:

Down Canyon Trail:

An unnamed falls:

Tiny waterfalls:

Lower North Falls:

Double Falls:

Drake Falls:

Middle North Falls:

Winter Trail:

Winter Falls:

And finishing the loop on the Rim Trail.

Words fail me.