Toketee Falls, North Umpqua River, Southwest Oregon

One of the most famous waterfalls in Oregon, the 113-foot Toketee Falls on the North Umpqua River is actually two falls, first dropping 28 feet in a narrow gorge, then plunging another 85 feet over a wall of columnar basalt into a large pool. The lush green foliage surrounding the crystal clear water of the falls makes this waterfall rather spectacular.

Clearwater Falls, North Umpqua River, Southwest Oregon

In the Umpqua National Forest…listening to the rush of the falls over logs and moss-covered rocks…definitely a happy place and a perfect break from a hot day.

McKay Crossing Falls, Paulina Creek, Central Oregon

McKay Crossing Falls, just outside the Newberry National Volcanic Monument in the Deschutes National Forest, is one of several small waterfalls along Paulina Creek in Central Oregon. Water flow over the falls seems low for early May 2015, probably due to Central Oregon's mild winter and less than normal snow melt.

White River and Celestial Falls, North Central Oregon

White River Falls is located in White River Falls State Park in North Central Oregon near the town of Maupin. There are two distinct parts to the falls. The top tier is split into anywhere from three to six distinct segments, and dramatically drops 75 feet over a horseshoe-shaped ledge in basalt rock. The bottom tier plunges another 41 feet into a large pool. In 2014 the falls were renamed as two separate falls: White River Falls (the top one) and Celestial Falls (the lower falls). Regardless of what they are called, these waterfalls are spectacular!

White River and Celestial Falls, A Wider View

White River Falls is located in White River Falls State Park in North Central Oregon near the town of Maupin. There are two distinct parts to the falls. The top tier is split into anywhere from three to six distinct segments, and dramatically drops 75 feet over a horseshoe-shaped ledge in basalt rock. The bottom tier plunges another 41 feet into a large pool. In 2014 the falls were renamed as two separate falls: White River Falls (the top one) and Celestial Falls (the lower falls). Regardless of what they are called, these waterfalls are spectacular!

Oregon's White River, Noth Central Oregon

The White River as it flows over the White River Falls in Oregon's White River Falls State Park. The White River originates on Mount Hood about 40 miles upstream of White River Falls. It gathers water from smaller tributaries along the way as it flows toward its confluence with the Deschutes River, and becomes a fairly substantial river by the time it reaches White River Falls. The result is a rather spectacular 75-foot waterfall that can stretch to as much as 250 feet in width.

Lower White River Falls, North Central Oregon

Thought there would be only one waterfall at White Falls State Park, but found there are actually three falls! After viewing the spectacular White River Falls and Celestial Falls, if you hike downstream on the trail along the river for about a quarter mile from the parking area, you'll find Lower White River Falls. This plunge-style waterfall drops about 15 feet into a large bowl. There certainly are some lovely waterfalls at this park!

Deschutes River, near Dillon Falls, Central Oregon

Proxy Falls, Oregon

It's not a long drive from Bend to Proxy Falls, and taking the McKenzie Pass Highway with its extremely sharp curves and narrow road makes the drive both scenic and challenging. The trail to the falls is an easy 1.5 mile loop. Proxy Creek drops 226 feet in two streams, and flows over columnar basalt covered in moss, creating one of the most spectacular waterfalls in Oregon, and perhaps the entire country.

Proxy Falls, Oregon Viewed From The Side

I decided to get a little closer to the falls, and climbed up the hill on the side of the waterfall. Lots of spray and noise! It was very exhilarating and beautiful.

Proxy Falls, Oregon - Close Up

This is a closer look at the water cascading over Proxy Falls. The patterns created as the water falls over the stair-steps of the basalt columns and moss is like a work of art. For you photographers, this isn't a cropped photo...it was taken at 35 mm and I was actually that close. The noise and spray were overwhelmingly powerful. Quite an experience.

Steelhead Falls, Deschutes River, Terebonne, OR

We visited Steelhead Falls on a sunny but cold January day. There was ice on the steep trail from the parking lot down to the falls, with some mud thrown in due to a push of warm weather and the sun. We'd been to the area a couple of weeks before and found the trail too icy to even use, so this time we put Yaktrax on our boots. That worked! Our timing wasn't the greatest—it was foggy when we started out and I expected to shoot the falls under an overcast sky, but just when I got to the falls, the clouds lifted and the sun came out. So I ended up pointing my camera directly into the sun, but found some branches from a tree to shield part of the glare. Lots of spray from the falls filled the air. The canyon surrounding the river and falls is spectacular.

Fall Creek Falls, Three Sisters Wilderness, Central Oregon

Fall Creek, Three Sisters Wilderness, Central Oregon

Waterfall Along Canyon Creek, Central Orgon

Tumalo Falls, Central Oregon

Tumalo Falls, Central Oregon (horizontal view)

Double Falls, Tumalo Creek, Central Oregon

A Touch Of Fall

Whatcom Falls is the highlight of Whatcom Falls Park in Bellingham, Washington. When I took this photo, a bit of fall color was just starting to show on the tree leaves, adding some nice highlights to the image. (The watermark is for copyright protection and will not be on the printed photograph.)

South Falls Vertical, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

South Falls Horizontal, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

Lower South Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

Lower North Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

Double Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon