Sullivan Creek and Henline Falls

Don't get me wrong, I like to hike.  I've done the Silver Falls loop, I've walked to the top of Multnomah Falls.  Sometimes, it's nice to have a fall literally right next to you on the road.  Take Sullivan Falls for instance.  It's not magnificent, it's not tall. But as you drive by you can roll down the window and have the mist from the fall spray you on your face.

A short drive down the road and a half an hour relatively short hike later you can reach Henline Falls. It was a typical spring day in Oregon.  Gray clouds filled the sky and the occasional, light sprinkle was almost non existent.  We filled out our wilderness pass (required Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day) and headed off the road onto the trail.  A few minutes into the hike the rain started to fall.  Thomas my lovely 9 year old son pauses, looks up at the clouds which are becoming more black than gray, and shouts with clenched fists, "Come on storm cloud, is that the best you got?"

Apparently,  Thomas didn't get the memo that says don't taunt storm clouds.  It's kind of like turning your back to the ocean. We continued on the trail, the rain continued to fall, and increased in volume and intensity.  By the time we reached the fall 30 minutes later everyone was soaked.  The rain was coming down so fast and hard, I wasn't able to get much of a photo as the camera was getting soaked.

It was so wet. I could barely see, and I completely forgot to look for the abandoned mine shaft near the falls.  I guess that gives me an excuse to go back.  I'll have to remember to take my flashlights.  They say you can't see more than a few feet into the mine.  Maybe, I'll leave the kids at home for that one. I don't want them to fall through the floor.

You can see the rain falling in the photo.

Weathered remains of the old waterwheel.