Hike Coordinator: Terry Andreucci
Narration by Terry Andreucci
After a hour and half drive to the trailhead, 14 enthusiastic hikers started down the North Umpqua Trail to the top view of Lemolo Falls. In 1908, two rangers on horseback named a four-mile ridgeline south of the river as “Dread and Terror” in reference to the disagreeable possibility of fighting forest fires in the impenetrable thickets of white thorn brush blanketing the area. For us, in this day and age, it turned out to be a beautiful, 4-mile out and back along the North Umpqua River with no thorn brush in sight! Views included cascading rapids and small falls culminating at 102-foot Lemolo Falls.
After stopping for a lunch break, we regrouped at our vehicles and proceeded a few miles to the next trailhead that would take us to another perspective of Lemolo Falls.
This hike took us a mile or so down the opposite side of the river canyon in a series of switchbacks that led us to the bottom of the falls. Along the way, many rhododendrons and wildflowers were in bloom providing a splash of color. The raging sound of the falls and the huge clouds of spray provided a spectacular visual and auditory extravaganza!
I must admit this was my favorite viewpoint!
Pictures below by Terry Andreucci
