October 7, 2009 – Rain Makes Things Grow

The morning started with a hike along the Balsam Fir Trail. It wasn’t long but it was a nice warm-up. The leaves were swirling all around us. We had six deer browsing in the campground. Spice was ready for the chase, but she walked well with us. Along the trail were numerous puddles, soft areas and just plain mud. Step careful or you will be on your butt. Overhead, the sky which had been grey for the past couple of days, had become a strong contrast: open areas of blue framed by clouds struck brilliantly white by the mid-morning sun. The strong winds aloft had the clouds racing, leaving wisps of white and grey in their trail as the rushed from ridge to ridge. The trees, beautiful enough with the fall color, came alive with the periodic soft kiss of the sun. Like neon on the Vegas strip, each tree ignited its color to catch your eye.

The trail was a loop, bringing us back to the campsite. We gather a couple of things we needed and drove over to the falls. I was hoping the overnight rain might provide some increase in the volume of water over the rocks. The Trading Post was open and required a quick visit to purchase some postcards and to look at the various trinkets. Besides, there was a tour bus in the parking lot, so the observation platforms would be filled with senior leaf peepers. Purchases made, tour bus gone and we were off to view the falls, again. Our first observation was the noise of the cataract. It was much louder then yesterday. We skipped by the mid-trail observation point, choosing instead to head right to the bottom. When the falls came into view, we were awestruck. The falls had nearly tripled in size, giving us an incredible display of water cascading, tumbling, and falling off of and on to rocks, throwing mist and spray; creating rainbows when the clouds would allow the sun through.

Carol snapped pictures from every possible angle the boardwalk and platforms would allow. Next stop was Elakala Falls by the Blackwater Lodge. When we were here yesterday, we crossed a footbridge right above the falls. These are small falls, about 20 vertical feet, on a creek flowing off the mountain into Blackwater River. Last night’s rain had brought these falls alive. Yesterday, it was just an interesting rock formation with some water flowing over it. Today, it is a true cataract, with water pouring over every available ledge, noisily dropping into the shallow pool at its base. We hiked along the creek below the falls in search of vantage points for Carol to take pictures. The change the rain had brought to this stream was dramatic. Yesterday, there was a photographer on the rocks in the streambed, trying to get photos of the falls. Those rocks were wet or submerged today. Is there anything more awesome then nature at its best?

Carol will be posting before and after shots on her Facebook page. We hope you find the difference as breath taking as we did.