Perhaps my favorite of all scenic features are waterfalls. It feels so good to sit near them and watch the flow and variation of the water’s motion. It’s surprising to see how much difference there is in the flow as you watch. Then there’s the sound; like continuous thunder with the smell of fresh clean water and growing things that never stops. For me this is about as wonderful as it gets.

As I departed the high, cold, clearness of Crater Lake National Park’s snow covered flanks, the signposts for waterfalls did their work to guide me to one after the other of these wonderful features. The first one along todays rout is National Creek Falls. It was quite a few miles (surprisingly) off the main road and about a half mile hike down to the falls. All worth the effort as the falls were really impressive.

Headwaters of National Creek Falls Oregon

National Creek Falls Oregon

While selecting images from all those captured at places like this, I’m always taken by the ebb and flow of the water. In the next image, I’ve used three images layered together, aligned and allowed to transparently show through each other (each in it’s own R, G, or B color) to highlight the ever changing pattern of the waters path down the falls. Look for the Red, Green, Blue, Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow colors that mark the differences of the waters path.

Lower National Creek Falls Oregon

The hiking and driving this morning has taken it’s toll. There are still more waterfalls to visit. I drove by Diamond Lake and the weather was so grey that I passed right by looking for my next glimpse of falling water. Not too far down the road was a place I’ve visited before. Clearwater Falls is very close to highway 138 and an easy walk from the car. It’s not very high. Though the rocks and moss give it a mystical feel. I really like the feeling here.

Clearwater Creek Falls

Clearwater Creek Falls

Clearwater Creek Falls detail

Below Clearwater Creek Falls

Below Clearwater Creek Falls

By the time I relaxed here for a little while the weather started moving in and I was running out of light. So, I packed up and drove strait through to a little town called Myrtle Point, OR where I’ll base for a few days and seek out more of these lovely, mystical places.