Mill Creek Falls, Barr Creek Falls, Pearsony Falls

An enthusiastic group of a baker’s dozen plus one gathered 42 miles up Highway 62 at the Mill Creek Falls Scenic Area. We had two out of state guests, Liz’s sister Edie from Washington, and Darryl’s brother-in -law Fred from Montana. Our hikers became giddy with excitement as they entered the forest and started to hear the roar from the Rogue and the two falls tumbling into the canyon.

We first came to Mill Creek Falls and many exclaimed as to how full that waterfall was as it dropped 173′. Next came Barr Creek Falls a short distance away that was made longer because we had to bypass three deadfall trees that had fallen on the main trail. This fall is a majestic 242′ and we could see all the way up to the top as well as the lower fall that crashes into the river.

After a long viewing visit on the rocks across from Barr Creek Falls we headed back to the entry trail then right and down to the Avenue of the Giant Boulders. The group became as excited as school kids as they climbed over boulders to get a better view of the white water rushing through the narrow channels. Before leaving the boulders we took a short side trip to check out the sight of the first Hydro-Electric Plant for the Prospect area built in 1911 next to the river.

As it is Spring and Liz is a regular on Monday’s we have a growing interest in wildflower identification. Here then are the names of the flowers in the order that they were posted..the rare forest dwelling Calypso Orchid, the Western Trillium, a Calypso closeup, flowering Red Currant, still more Calypsos, and finally the fushia-like Gooseberry Ribes.

We were hoping to also view the beautiful, split Pearsony Falls after a new hike through the woods, but a logging crew had that access shut down until later in the week. So we headed up Highway 62 to Natural Bridge, but parking was gated off… Too early in the season I guess.

About half of us drove to Shady Cove for a stop at Phil’s Frosty.

It was a most enjoyable day.

Hike Leader: Rich Stickle

Photos By: Bob, Randy