Chasing Waterfalls

There’s a saying that goes, “Don’t go chasing waterfalls.”  Thank you TLC! But in my opinion that’s such crazy talk. I’ve been obsessed with waterfalls my entire life. There aren’t many words to describe how being in the presence of a waterfall and its power makes me feel. Exhilarating, is probably as close as any word will come.

I’m lucky that I live in the PNW (Pacific Northwest), Oregon specifically. There are hundreds of documented waterfalls in my home state, and many little known or rarely documented falls as well. My goal for a while now has been to visit every falls in Oregon… hopefully even those that are un-named and difficult to reach. There’s also at least a dozen I want to explore in Washington state as well.

Last January 2016 I started the 52 Hike Challenge and sadly can’t report that I completed it. However, I finished 39 of 52 which I truly am proud of even if I didn’t make it all the way. Thirty-nine is a LOT of hikes. As you may have figured, most of them were waterfalls. I guess you could say I’m a hiking snob, I’m not really interested in hikes that don’t have one of two things:

1. Waterfall(s)
2. A stellar view at the top/end

It just seems like a waste if neither exists. I mean, I’ll hike almost anywhere but my heart won’t pitter patter the same as it does for falling water and expansive view points. Sorry not sorry! 😜

I’ll chase these gorgeous waterfalls any day! Here are several of my absolute favorites captured along my many Oregon/Washington adventures.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(All but the last photo were taken on an iPhone 6 or 7)

So far I only have a handful of falls on the list of “undocumented” waterfalls that I want to explore, but I feel like there is a lot more research to do on exactly how many falls there may be- and I’m sure there are more than I can imagine. When I do explore them, you can totally count on me being very coy about the details of how to find them too. Can’t give away all my secrets 😎

These are but a handful and I’m super excited that I get the opportunity to go back and hike them all with my new Nikon since I have am attempting the 52 Hike Challenge again, I have a lot of re-discovering to do with a “real” camera, but I’m positive it will be an amazing adventure full of learning!

What’s your favorite hike? Have a suggestion for an off trail Waterfall? Drop a comment, I’d love to hear from you.

✌🏼 Tee