Lost Falls II

1/26/22  A second attempt at finding Upper Hot Spring Canyon Falls, better known as Lost Falls. This time... success! Possibly the first photo of the full falls from this vista spot in many years.
IMG_7573 Heading back down the creek bed to find the ridge trail.
Heading back down the creek bed to find the ridge trail.
IMG_0006 This time we're able to find the obscure trail and make it up to the ridge.
This time we're able to find the obscure trail and make it up to the ridge.
IMG_7577 Heading out along the ridge.
Heading out along the ridge.
IMG_7579 The ridge is an awesome trail, followable but rough and overgrown, just how we like it.
The ridge is an awesome trail, followable but rough and overgrown, just how we like it.
IMG_7581 Things get a little rocky in places.
Things get a little rocky in places.
IMG_7585 Just a little bit of scrambling along the way.
Just a little bit of scrambling along the way.
IMG_7588 After going up and down multiple hills along the ridge, we finally get to the spot where the trail dives straight downhill into the canyon. Here we get the...
After going up and down multiple hills along the ridge, we finally get to the spot where the trail dives straight downhill into the canyon. Here we get the…
IMG_7589 And our first glimpse of the top of the mythical Lost Falls.
And our first glimpse of the top of the mythical Lost Falls.
IMG_7591 The trail starts to get really steep and dicey from here on out. Dad decides to wait for a bit while I continue on and try to get a little fuller view of the...
The trail starts to get really steep and dicey from here on out. Dad decides to wait for a bit while I continue on and try to get a little fuller view of the…
IMG_7593 I follow the remnants of a use trail that's incredibly steep and loose. But you can gradually see more and more of the falls. It's tantalizing, making you want...
I follow the remnants of a use trail that's incredibly steep and loose. But you can gradually see more and more of the falls. It's tantalizing, making you want…
IMG_7609 The view of the falls actually disappears for a little while, which is disheartening. But finally it comes back in full force. I believe this is the spot where...
The view of the falls actually disappears for a little while, which is disheartening. But finally it comes back in full force. I believe this is the spot where…
IMG_7612 But the payoff was the full height view of Upper Hot Spring Canyon Falls, including the pool at the bottom. The Lost Falls has been found! Although canyoneers...
But the payoff was the full height view of Upper Hot Spring Canyon Falls, including the pool at the bottom. The Lost Falls has been found! Although canyoneers…
IMG_7616 A zoomed-in view of the falls. It seems a lot bigger than 140'. It must be spectacular after a big rain.
A zoomed-in view of the falls. It seems a lot bigger than 140'. It must be spectacular after a big rain.
IMG_7615 A short video of the falls. There's a nice little clearing, with a large pointed rock that has some red coloring. It's a perfect marker for the vista.
A short video of the falls. There's a nice little clearing, with a large pointed rock that has some red coloring. It's a perfect marker for the vista.
IMG_7622 A look at the adjacent cascades from the vista point. The return trip up the slope wasn't easy. Steep and very easy to get lost. Fortunately I had remembered a...
A look at the adjacent cascades from the vista point. The return trip up the slope wasn't easy. Steep and very easy to get lost. Fortunately I had remembered a…
IMG_7630 I made it back to Dad just as he was starting to call out for me. I was glad to hear his voice to know I was heading in the right direction! Now time to head...
I made it back to Dad just as he was starting to call out for me. I was glad to hear his voice to know I was heading in the right direction! Now time to head…
IMG_0008 A quick lunch break. Hmm, I can't seem to find this trail on the map...
A quick lunch break. Hmm, I can't seem to find this trail on the map...
IMG_7644 End of the ridge and time to drop back down to the creek bed.
End of the ridge and time to drop back down to the creek bed.
IMG_0011 Heading back up the creek bed. End to a very memorable adventure. And it was even acknowledged by the famous Ken Croker who quite literally wrote the book on...
Heading back up the creek bed. End to a very memorable adventure. And it was even acknowledged by the famous Ken Croker who quite literally wrote the book on…