Franklin Mine and Green River Gorge Waterfalls 03-25-2018

The daffodils are blooming, and that is my cue that it is time for a trip back to Franklin Mine near Black Diamond to visit Romulous and James.  I drove through a few rain showers on my way, which made me glad I brought my raincoat but happy that I might have the trail mostly to myself.  What a surprise - the parking lot had many cars and I probably ran into around 40 people.  I didn't get rained on though!
Good thing to note - if you use the parking lot, the fee is $5.  I thought it was $5 a car, but it may be $5 a person.  It was just me and the pups, so it wasn't too bad, but plan ahead if you're going with a group.  The falls afterward, I was told I didn't have to pay separately for, but the sign there definitely said $5 each.  This is private property (the parking lot and the old resort), and an attendant is often there.
First, Cedar. Luna and I went up the hill and to the left to the mine shaft and cemetery.  With a lot of chatter on the trail and some people shooting continuously in the distance it was not the peace I had been hoping for.  I did see a red-breasted sapsucker though, calling out from the top of a snag. 

There were people all around the mine shaft, so we went toward the cemetery first.  The frame that held the water line is still standing, and there is rusted old metal and some foundations along the way. 

On a clear day you can see Mt Rainier from this trail, but today's clouds just gave us peekaboo views of the frosty-topped hillsides.

We ended up getting to walk around the old cemetery in between groups of people, so other than the gunshots, it was quiet.  The daffodils nodded in the ivy around the gravestones.  Some yellow blooms had been picked and set on the gravestones.

Not only daffodils were blooming, but these creeping white and blue flowers, as well as wild currants.  I saw the bleeding hearts were just starting to put out a couple buds as well.

When we got back to the mine shaft, that also was clear of other visitors.  The sign says it is 1300 feet deep, but that is hard to imagine.  I believe I read somewhere that it goes straight from the top of that hillside to a level 500 feet below sea level.  Now that I can visualize with awe, as I stand on a hilltop and think about how far above the beach I am, and how far that means this dark hole is.  I know that horizontal shafts go out from it down there in the deep, on many levels.  37 people lost their lives in the fire in 1894 at this mine.  I read that several mules did as well.  It is hard to picture mule teams down there in the darkness.

I don't always walk over to where I think the town (possibly?) might have been, but we did this time.  I met a nice family and visited with them a little about the history I had learned about the mine.  I really wish this hike had a couple information boards.  The story of the people who lived, worked, and died here really bring history to life.  One little boy was calling the foundations the "exhibits" and exclaimed that they were in a museum.  His mom disagreed, but I told her actually he was kind of spot on with that impression. 

Cedar and Luna posing (against their will) with an old mine car.

When I got back down to head to the car, the attendant asked if I'd gone to the falls yet.  I hadn't, as I remembered a steep trail near that parking lot.  He told me to walk across the bridge and go through a gate at the Green River Gorge Resort and there would be steps.  I am so glad I did!! 

The falls from far above

Winding down under the old one-lane bridge it was beautiful.  There were numerous streams and rivulets flowing and cascading into the Green River.  Mossy rocks carved over more time than I can imagine were carved out in bowls and curves.  There was even a little grotto behind the falls.  I read when I got home that although the waterfall is known now as Green River Gorge Falls, the historic name was Maid of the Mist.  I'm not sure if that refers to all the various falls, or just the biggest one?  Or possibly the little high up wispy one.

We really enjoyed it, and all those steps back up were a great workout!  Get out and explore!

Explorer Falls 03-04-2018

A new hike!  I had never done Explorer Falls before, and it is so close in!  I would say it's borderline a walk instead of a hike, as most of it is on a wide gravel road, but there are some stream crossings and some logs to scramble over/around, so I'm going to count it as a hike.

This little day hike is only 2.5 miles round trip, and hardly any elevation gain.  It was a cloudy day, but not raining when we set out.  The first bit has beaver dams on both sides of the trail and I could see a couple yellow skunk cabbage bulbs.  Spring is definitely on its way.  After the beaver ponds, there is a thick forest of young moss covered trees looking furry above bright green sword ferns. 

The way is marked with spray paint and a couple signs, and was easy to follow despite some forks.  Most of the not-the-trail directions say No Trespassing. 

We went down a little bank to our first stream crossing and Luna ran around my legs and then leaped.  She took out the slack around my legs and fell short about 3/4 of the way across.  It was shallow and not too cold out, but here she is sticking out her tongue at me like it's my fault. 

Not much farther and there was a little dirt trail on the right that led into a tiny ravine with the waterfall at the end.  It was lovely, and there was a "hobbit hole" to the right.  I was going to check it out closer, but there is not a trail to the falls and as we attempted a scramble other people showed up with a larger dog.  We'll save the hobbit hole for another day.

As we got back on the gravel road, there was a patch of snow (well, mostly ice) and the dogs went crazy rolling and running in it. I let them have some fun before releashing and heading back out.

The rain didn't start falling until just as I saw the car.  It was a great mini adventure!

Bridal Veil Falls 01-20-2018

The rain was light, but much steadier than I anticipated as Cedar, Luna and I did just the first part of the Serene Lake Trail to Bridal Veil Falls.  We were pretty soaked by the time we got close and it got colder and turned to snow. 

Rather than go up all the steps to the normal viewpoint, I usually just take the trail to the bottom of the falls - one roaring spot you can get a partial view from a bridge, and then further in there is a light cascade down a rock face.  It is so beautiful there.  Stopping for photos was just long enough for Luna to start shivering. 

Cedar and I were fine, so I put Cedar's coat on Luna since it was more waterproof.  Just a half mile down the trail and she was soaked through and shivering again.  I wrapped her in my fleece (was supposed to be my warm up jacket when I got to the car), put her in my backpack and carried it on my front so I could keep her from jostling.  

Cedar and I were fine, and hiked the rest of the way out like that.  I'm glad I always hike prepared!  Once warmed up and dried off all was well.  This is such a beautiful hike, even just going partway in, and even in the rain.  : )