Spoon Creek Falls

Saturday, Sandy and I flew to Seattle for a week on the Olympic Peninsula.  After getting our rental car, we stopped for lunch at The Valley in Tacoma and then made a stop near Olympia at Brewery Park at Tumwater Falls.  After getting our stuff together, we set off on our first short hike.  A paved trail led downstream along Deschutes River.  Upper Tumwater Falls was right after the trail started.

A couple of dams were here, so the waterfall is mostly artificial.

A school of salmon were at the base of the falls, waiting to make the strenuous journey upriver.  A few made unsuccessful attempts to jump the dam, but a fish ladder provided a way up.

Continuing down the trail, Middle Tumwater Falls was just below the bridge on Custer Way.

The lighting was really poor for this one with bright sunlight and the shadow of the bridge.

The trail ended below Tumwater Falls, the third and lowest waterfall in the park.  

I thought this was the most scenic of the three.

The water splits and goes around some huge rocks, but only the stream on river right was visible.  With the bridge over the river closed, we couldn't get a better view.

So we made the short hike back to the car and continued on our way.

Heading into the Olympic Peninsula, we went north from Montesano on Wynoochee Valley Road into Olympic National Forest.  We parked along FR-23 at the trailhead for Spoon Creek Falls.  Spoon Creek Falls Trail (#885) led from the trailhead and immediately, a short spur led to a view of Spoon Creek Falls from above.

This was the only spot to see the upper section of the falls.  The trail continued down a short ways through a lovely Pacific Northwest forest.

A caterpillar of a spotted tussock moth was crawling along a rock.

Where the trail led to the creek, we went upstream a short ways to view the waterfall from the base.

The water level was low and the lighting poor, but it was a really pretty waterfall.  The pool at the base would be inviting if it were a little warmer.

After a few pictures, we returned to the car and headed back.

We drove to Hoodsport and checked into Glen Ayr Resort.  After getting checked in, we walked down to the dock around sunset.

Hood Canal was really beautiful in the evening light.  After a few pictures, we returned and went to bed.