TLC said “don’t go chasing waterfalls”, but this past year I disobeyed that message as much as my schedule would allow. But really, all 90’s pop music references aside, 2016 was a great year for me in terms of waterfall shoots, and this didn’t happen accidentally. The simple fact is, I have a deep love and appreciation for rivers and waterfalls, which is why I like to photograph them so often. I feel that they are just the perfect representation of the raw power of nature and time. As a nature photographer, I like to create imagery that allows the viewer to experience such intensity without even having to be there. If I can do this with my images, I consider myself successful as a photographer. As I have alluded to in the past, my goal in doing all this is to bring people closer to nature. Oftentimes I find that waterfalls do the work for me. So without further delay, I’d like to dedicate this post to all of natures majestic water features, and show you all of the falls I visited this year.
My records indicate that my first waterfall snap of the year took place on a snowy drive up Marys Peak, the highest mountain in Oregon’s Coast Range. The fall in question was a roadside attraction that I usually drive right past, called Parker Creek Falls. The presence of a fresh snow fall made the waterfall all the more interesting to me on this particular trip.
I must have been on hiatus from shooting at the start of the year, as my records show that the next time I pointed my camera at a waterfall in 2016 was early in March. The fall in question was Upper McCord Creek Falls in the Columbia Gorge of Northwest Oregon.
While it was just a mile in to the falls, actually getting down to get a good shot was rather treacherous, and required scrambling over slippery rocks and fallen logs. All in all, the view was worth it! Along the same trail system was Elowah Falls, a 213 foot tall stream coming out of a cliff covered in vibrant yellow lichens. Personally, I found Upper McCord to be more visually stunning, but these things are all a matter of opinion.
Accessing these two falls required only part of a day, as they are both on the same system of trails, and the round trip hike was no more than two and a half miles.
Flash forward to the middle of June, when I made my way south to the Shasta-Trinity National Forest of northern California to work for the US Forest Service. While most of my time was occupied by spotted owl surveys, I did have time for the occasional day hike, which resulted in the discovery of an amazing waterfall; Middle Falls on the McCloud River.
There was just something about this waterfall that made me keep coming back. It was really a representation of the beauty of that whole area, and the ease of access to a vast array of natural wonders. for example, the above image was shot from a lookout about 100 feet from the main parking lot. For those who want a more intimate view of the fall, it’s a very short and easy hike to the bottom.
Later in the summer, I paid a visit to Majestic Falls in McDowell Creek Park just outside of Lebanon, Oregon, which was but a trickle at the time.
To illustrate how different this place looks in the winter, here’s a photo of the same fall from nearly the same angle just four months later, in November. It’s awesome to get to see how just a couple months of heavy rain can totally change the landscape!
To get back on track with the order of things, it was October when I next went on a waterfall shoot. I grudgingly agreed to go on a hike at Silver Falls State Park, outside of Stayton, Oregon. In the past, I’ve never had a taste for this place, as it’s typically obscenely crowded. To me this defeats the purpose, as I go to nature to find peace and solitude, and escape the trappings of an overpopulated society. This time, I was far from disappointed. Yes, there were crowds of screaming children, but there were also incredible fall colors as far as the eye could see. The two photos shown below are of the south fall, which looked particular majestic on this day.
The next waterfalls I visited and photographed were on a trip to Crater Lake via Highway 138, known as the highway of waterfalls. The reason for this title is that seeing amazing waterfalls is so damn easy along this road. You don’t even have to plan which falls you want to visit. You can simply drive down the highway and follow the signs. In fact, I would argue that winging it is the way to go with this one.
My first stop on 138 was Toketee Falls, famous among the many hipsters of Instagram. If you want to see an amazing waterfall, and possibly a guy with a man bun and skinny jeans carrying a multi-thousand dollar drone down a steep mud slide for a better angle, then Toketee is one to check out!
Just a couple miles down the road from Toketee was Watson Falls, which I have read is the third tallest waterfall in all of Oregon at 272 feet. Either way, I have to say that this fall is one of my favorites that I have been to. There is an inexplicable intensity an majesty to it. See for yourself.
A little further down the road is another wonderful cascade, known as Clearwater Falls. While not terribly impressive in terms of height, I found it to be very visually appealing, as it is spring fed and appears to pop right out of the ground. There are also downed logs scattered everywhere, giving the place a very hectic appearance.
Another fall I checked out on the same trip can be found along Highway 230, very close to Crater Lake National Park. For your viewing pleasure, here is National Creek Falls
As mentioned earlier on, I visited McDowell Creek Park for a second time, visiting all three of the main waterfalls: Majestic Falls (already pictured), Royal Terrace Falls, and Crystal Falls. This wonderful little loop hike is just 45 minutes away from my home in Corvallis, Oregon, so It’s no wonder I ended up there on multiple occasions.
Royal Terrace Falls in McDowell Creek Park, Oregon
Crystal Falls in McDowell Creek Park, Oregon
So this brings us to late December, when I made my final waterfall trip: Wahclella Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. This was unlike any other trip this year because the trail in was covered in at least two feet of slippery snow, and the cliff sides were lined with icicles as far as the eye could see.
So that’s it, everybody. As you can tell, I spent a lot of my time in 2016 finding peace and wonder by the sides of waterfalls, big and small. Photography has been a hugely important part of this past year, as well as my whole life. I feel so fortunate to be able to bring the intensity of nature straight to your home through the creation of imagery, and waterfalls provide the perfect opportunity to achieve this. They just don’t have to try to be super cool like the rest of us do. So with that, I’d like to say thanks to all those who joined me on my adventures this past year, both in the flesh and in spirit, and make the promise to you that I’ll never stop showing you my visions of nature, even if I never get paid a dime for it. Happy New Year, everyone! May this odd numbered year bring you luck and success.
As usual, here are some additional images from my waterfall trips this year. Enjoy!
