Cathedral Falls
Despite having recently camp on our survey beach (see A New Twist to Our Toleak Survey), I was still feeling a bit ‘couped up’. With the parts to raise our trailer still delayed and our Pacific Northwest winter truly upon us, Theresa decided to sit this one out. She’s as stuff as they come, but has grown accustomed to returning to a warm, dry refuge at the end of the day; as I have I. Still I needed some get back out in the wild places and set my eyes on visiting Cathedral Falls.
Cathedral Falls is a lofty plunging waterfall along an unnamed tributary of Goat Creek in an isolated corner of Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument. The falls launch 248 feet over a massive overhang then veils across a strange cone-shaped protrusion of bedrock that forces the water to veil down in a subtle swooshing shape. The formation of the cone at the base of the falls is rather puzzling, as it doesn’t appear to be the result of minerals accumulating from the falling water. More likely the falls have simply pounded down onto a much more rugged outcrop of rock that was disconnected from the now overhanging cliffs above, and have slowly worn it into a rounded shape over time.
Taidnapam Campground
The park which is owned and managed by Tacoma Power is really quite the campground. Seems like they have a bit more funds to throw at their facilities than Washington State. I had been here once before but that was during the summer when there was a large contingent of campers. I think it has even more charm in the winter.
I had reached out to a couple of photographer buddies to see if they wanted to join and both Brad and Matt agreed. Brad and I were camping for the weekend with Matt meeting up with us on the morning of the hike.
It was cold during the long night’s but Brad’s cooking more than made up for any inconvenience the temperature threw at us. It’s always good to have friends who are accomplished cooks! Freshly baked cinnamon rolls in the morning followed by steaks in a honey-mustard sauce that night. What’s a little cold weather?
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Our mission is a labor of love, but it does come with overhead. If you’d like to support our efforts we’d certainly appreciate it. Currently, we’re actively participating in the following field research:
- COASST Beached Bird Surveys
- Wild and Scenic River Project
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This is just one of many structures that fell into disarray after the closure of the gravel pit that once operated on the shores of Steilacoom.
Nestled in the heart of the Pacific Northwest, Mount St. Helens stands as an imposing figure, even in the depths of winter. The snow-capped peak, which famously erupted in 1980, offers a unique and breathtaking landscape for winter adventurers. With its rugged terrain, awe-inspiring vistas, and challenging winter conditions, Mount St. Helens is a must-visit destination for those seeking an unforgettable winter experience. Whether you're an experienced mountaineer or a beginner looking for a thrilling outdoor adventure, Mount St. Helens in winter is an experience you won't soon forget.
Some of the old structures for the gravel pit were once located in Steilacoom, Washington. Since I took this photograph, it's been replaced by a golf course.
Point Robinson Light is a lighthouse located on Maury Island in Washington State, USA. The lighthouse was first built in 1885 and has since undergone several renovations and upgrades. The lighthouse tower is 35 feet tall and is painted white with a black lantern room. It is situated on a bluff overlooking Puget Sound and marks the eastern entrance to Elliott Bay. The light's characteristic is a white flash every 5 seconds with a focal plane of 51 feet above sea level.
What started as a sunny day developed into thunderstorms. The thunderstorm finally moved off to the east. It had us binned in our tents for a couple of hours.
I've just posted an article over on our website. You'll find more photographs and a short write up on what we found. | "Dosewallips State Park Suffers Major Upheaval"
The south shore of Dusty Lakes is just outside Vantage. We've book our campsite for a return trip this spring.
Sunrise over Port Angeles. We’ll be catching the afternoon ferry over to Victoria later today.
Murhut Creek drains the lower Duckabush River valley. Although only the lower portion is visible the falls themselves are over 150'. ------------
Deep Lake at Millersylvania State Park
Theresa is gazing at sunset while beachcombing. The clouds added a wonderful touch of drama to the scene.
Sunrise at Ocean Shores
Theresa is looking downstream at Murhat Falls. This waterfall is easy to drive to and an easy hike in the Olympic National Forest.
Nisqually Wildlife Reserve
Skate Creek runs alongside Forest Road 52 in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. This was just one of the many photographic sites that can be accessed from the road.
Sunrise at Fort Flagler State Park
Goat Creek Trail
It’s a short drive up an old logging trail to the Goat Creek Trail which is about 10 miles long. Cathedral Falls is only a mile in, and the entire trail is just one beautiful vista after another. I’ve never seen such beautiful views for such a relatively easy hike.
In other words, I’ve worked a whole lot harder for a whole lot less pay off.
Along the way, there are plenty of unnamed falls to photograph, and at one point you get a stunning view of some rapids on Goat Creek itself.
Personally, I had a hard time coming up with a photograph that I felt did the Cathedral Falls justice. They are much more impressive than my photograph capture. Matt did the best job of capturing them and he has a couple of his photographs posted on his website. Be sure to scale towards the bottom where you’ll see me on the trail just coming out from behind the falls. It truly gives you a sense of the scale of this feature.
If you’re in the area, it well worth the time to head out and explore this area. I’ll be taking Theresa back as soon as the trailer gets released.
