A Breathtaking Hike To The Kentucky Falls
My awesome adventure began near the town where I grew up in Oregon. We picked up a few pamphlets about areas to hike, and were off to find some beautiful waterfalls. The falls often are on government property, so there are few markers or signs to find the trails. We turned off the main road and began our ascent.
The road became one lane, then gravel, then pavement and surrounded by grass that was nearly as tall as the car. We quickly learned that the instructions of the pamphlet were wrong and began to choose which route to take based on guesses. We drove for three hours on logging roads that wound around the mountains. We did not pass another car for those three hours, and amazingly we saw an SUV coming toward us. We flagged him down and he was returning from Kentucky falls, the same place we wanted to find. He gave us directions and we were finally able to find the falls after another hour of driving. By then it was getting late in the afternoon, and we were wondering if we had enough daylight to hike to the falls. We all jumped out of the car and began running toward the trail. It was incredibly beautiful with all of the old growth fir trees. There were no sounds of civilization. The trail wound around and through the forest and we encountered wonderful ferns and flowers.
We heard the sound of water and saw the first fall. It was so green and lush. There was a very cute “loveseat” made from stones and surrounded by vegetation. We sat and enjoyed the beauty and then decided to go on to see the other falls. We walked for another 30 minutes and made it to the final two falls. The beauty of that place will be forever imprinted in my mind. We made it out just in time to make it out of the forest before dark. The stress of attempting to find the falls was definitely worth it. That place was a piece of heaven.
(Story by Sue. Photo credit: edlitmus)
34 Comments
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That sounds like an amazing hike. I’ve always been interested in checking out that region of our country. I would be interested in fishing over there!
When i was little, i used to travel all over with my dad. This place is one of the few that i will never forget. He told me that we were going to a magical place. And it was..the feel of the mist on my face…when i think about it, sometimes i can still remember the smell of the water on the leaves.
seems to be a wonderful heart touching beauty of nature. I have searched about these in internet they really seem to be beautyful.
Kentucky Falls, water crazy falls is just awesome and more and more refreshment to us.
This sounds like such a beautiful experience. I’ve never been to Kentucky and I didn’t even realize they had a waterfall! I will have to look into visiting. Thanks for this great review.
What I like most about this place is the lack of “modern” corruption. It is so natural. Quickly you can get surrounded by just trees and bushes. You feel like you are the true explorer, and you left concrete and steel far behind. I’ve never been lucky enough to catch the moonbow on a full moon night, but still working on it.
I never had any interest in going to Oregon until I read this article. I love hiking especially when waterfalls are involved. I will be adding the Kentucky Falls to my list of places to visit!
I didn’t realize such a place in Oregon even existed. What a lovely spot that will have to go on my wish list.
It’s sometimes so astounding what natural beauty can be found in the most unexpected of places. It does just go to show, though, that even when we think we’re lost and far out of the way, we’re really just on the path to something even greater than we ever dreamed.
Water Fall is place which I loved the most even now. Kentucky Falls is the one among the wonderful falls I have visited in my life experience. It ranks first in my list and advice everyone to visit at least once in their life time because this chance would probably get to some lucky fellows to see the beautiful nature in this world.
Wow, this picture is amazing. I have never seen such a beautiful picture. I have never heard of this place, but it will defiantly be added to the list of places to go. Very nice picture.
This reminds me of a time when I was in Arkansas and stumbled upon some really astonishing waterfalls. I won’t ever forget that.
Wow, that sounds absolutely amazing! I can not believe how beautiful it looks in Kentucky. I never would have thought it could look so nice there.
I went to Kentucky Falls last year with a few of my friends and it was amazing. We loved it and I can’t wait to go back there again.
This is a well written article that truly depicts Kentucky Falls and all of its great beauty. I have been there before on three separate occasions; it is amazing and I love it!
This is a beautiful picture I would love to visit this spot some time soon, Who knew Kentucky was so pretty
It’s amazing what just a small piece of nature can do for your spirit. Of course, it sounds like you experienced quite a bit just getting to the Falls, so I’m happy that the peace and relaxation, and the beauty of course, were worth it. I’d love to spend a day there.
This looks like a breathtaking place to go! Would love to go here and enjoy the clean air and water. I am also from Oregon where things are beautiful.
I never realized that Kentucky was such a beautiful place. I look forward to stopping there this summer on my way to our families vacation destination.
Hey that sounds scary “quickly learned that the instructions of the pamphlet were wrong “!! I love looking at the falls but never want to just happen to find them when given printed directions from an agency???
I’ve wanted to go hiking for years now, And my husband going to let me chose are trip this year. This place is on the top of my list.
I’ve been trying to take my family trip like this for years. I have visited a few waterfalls in my lifetime, and I have always tried to explain to my family how powerful these things are. I really loved hearing your story, and I hope that I can do have a similar experience soon. Keep on hiking R
I just love all the waterfall trips. The last one I did was to Niagara Waterfall. It was just amazing. We are excited to visit Niagara falls again. This Kentucky Fall looks very much similar to it.
Ok, afterall was said and done with this hiking trip; did anybody have the craving for Kentucky fried chicken? I would have taken my chicken, taken my walk, taken my shower and then I would have have taken to my tent. Sounds like a good day/overnight trip.
This looks like a perfect relaxing trip to go to.. I hope that I get there one day!
Never really considered Kentucky to be a hot vacation spot, but now my thinking has totally changed. This sounds like something right up my alley, and I know my husband would love it as well. Nature is beautiful and this glorifies it all!
The Kentucky falls is a real hidden gem. No person would think to look there for such a beautiful natural scene.
I never had any interest in going to Oregon until I read this article. I love hiking especially when waterfalls are involved.
I am constantly looking to take vacations out of Kentucky, but after seeing this article about Kentucky Falls I think I will save money and take a Vacation in my home state. The views look absolutely amazing.
What an amazing experience. I have never been to KY and wouldn’y have thought it would have such an amazing waterfall. I am always on the look out for new vaction spots to visit with my family and this seems like one that is really worht checking out!
Oh Wow! That picture is so beautiful it must have been one incredible experience!!! I have hiked all over Tennessee, but haven’t gone to Kentucky yet, I think this will be my next trip!
I never realized that Kentucky was such a beautiful place. I love to hike and would really like to go there someday with my husband when our children are a little older.
My family and I love to go out and enjoy nature but I’m not sure I’d want to drive all that way for just a day trip. It sounds too beautiful to enjoy for a few hours only. I’ll have to check and see if there is camping offered there. If so, I’ll add it to our next trip as we wind our way through Oregon on our way to Canada.
That sounds like incredible hike, I would really like to go there, I have never seen something more beautiful. Kentucky falls are definitly the place I would like to visit, and I hope I will soon..