Calendar

Past Activity

Kentucky Falls

  • Start date: 06/22/2020

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/22/2020

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

Please read the Covid-19 protocols on the Obsidian website prior to the hike. Participants will manage their own transportation. Obsidian protocols for social distancing will be observed on the hike.

We'll hike downhill 0.8 miles to reach Upper Kentucky Falls. After another 1.4 miles downhill, we'll reach two waterfalls side-by-side near the confluence of the North Fork Smith River and Kentucky Creek: North Fork Falls and Lower Kentucky Falls. All three waterfalls are approximately 100 feet high. Then we'll continue south on the trail another 0.8 miles to a 6 foot waterfall that flows into a 140 foot pool (I have not scouted this last 0.8 miles of the hike). We'll have lunch at either the twin falls or the lower pool, then turn around for the uphill hike to the trailhead parking lot. The pace will be leisurely to allow time to take photographs and admire the beauty of the forest. Note to drivers: approximately 4.3 miles of the drive (one-way) is on gravel roads, and there are a few rough spots.

  • Event Leader: Greer Joel

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Coastal

  • Departure Location: Eugene Target, W11th, parking lot closest to W11th

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 100

  • Season: 2020

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Wear supportive shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. Bring lunch, snacks, and plenty of water. Covid-19 face covering and hand sanitizer.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 6

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 850

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The most difficult part of the Kentucky Falls hike is not the hike itself, but finding the trailhead! Despite having scouted the hike and arriving at the trailhead with no navigational problems on Memorial Day, I managed to take one wrong turn at a confusing intersection of gravel roads high in the Coastal Range near Roman Nose mountain. Fortunately, we recovered quickly, though not without some angst and confusion, and arrived at the trailhead only 10 minutes later than expected. Also fortunately, my 7 fellow hikers had great attitudes, and the hike was very enjoyable for everyone. It was a clear day, and the temperature was in the low 60s at the beginning and mid 70s at the end. We saw all three beautiful waterfalls, then hiked to a beautiful pool about 0.8 miles south on the North Fork Smith River Trail for a very pleasant lunch stop. But our adventures weren't finished yet: about 1.4 miles into the uphill return, Esme realized she had left a hiking pole at our lunch spot. So 6 of the hikers proceeded to Upper Kentucky Falls and waited while Joel and Esme walked/jogged back to retrieve the hiking pole. I really appreciated the great attitude of this group. Everyone was super cheerful and just happy to enjoy the chance to socialize (while doing our best to maintain social distance) and enjoy the beauty of the hike.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 8
  • Number of spots available: 0
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Greer, Joel 281-701-0205 N 5
2 Signed-Up Greer, Esme 281-701-0206 N 5
3 Signed-Up Bryan, Keiko 541-342-1240 N 1
4 Signed-Up Harris, Jean 541-953-0268 N 1
5 Signed-Up van Winkle, Dorothy 541-485-7416 N 1
6 Signed-Up Carpenter, Kathie 541-505-2370 N 1
7 Signed-Up Dinn, James 713-557-2682 N 1
8 Signed-Up Cooney, Marguerite 541-600-0217 N 1
9 Signed-Up Straub, Peg 541-514-7298 N 1
10 Signed-Up Meacham, Lynn 541-214-8827 N 1
11 Signed-Up Bennett, Brad 541-359-5198 N 5