Photos by Linda Hoard
ABOVE: A view of the area surrounding Bloom Lake. BELOW: A small creek connects to
Fishhawk Falls. RIGHT: A view of Fishhawk Falls.
Continued from Page 6
in the sun breaks. Ferns and huckleberry
bushes grow out of the old-growth stumps
left from early logging days, some with ax
cuts in the sides.
When Patrick O’Connelly wanted an
uncrowded trail, he chose Bloom Lake.
S ince many folks from Portland head to
the Gorge for hikes, he said he wanted to
go west to fi nd something quieter. He was
rewarded with a quiet, peaceful hike with
few other hikers right off the highway.
“This is a lovely little hike, not so
crowded,” Connelly said.
He mentioned he saw a gart er snake
across the trail, some banana slugs and sev-
eral black dragonfl ies at the lake.
The lake itself is a bit of a misnomer.
“Bloom Pond ” may be more apt. It is a
small lake with marsh grass and reeds at its
edge. Several large dragonfl ies zigzag above
it. Smaller iridescent blue darners illuminate
yellow buttercups nearby.
A couple with two large dogs were also
enjoying the trail to the lake. It is an easy
day trip from the coast or a convenient stop-
ping point if traveling over the Coast Range.
As one descends, the traffi c noise slowly
returns.
After hiking Bloom Lake Trail, con-
sider continuing west on Highway 26 past
Baker’s General Store and Elderberry Inn
and Restaurant — both make for nice stop-
ping points. Then take state Highway 202
toward Jewell, just before the next bridge to
a lovely rest stop and short hike. This windy
road travels past farms, some with horses,
cattle or golden hay, and climbs into the for-
est. Lee Wooden and Fishhawk Falls Park
is 5 miles from Jewell, right off of Highway
202, past the elk viewing area near mile-
post 25.
Its parking area accommodates RVs, and
has a park sign and small fence. In the adja-
cent meadow is one of two picnic tables,
another is in the shady woods along the
trail. It’s a convenient, nice spot to stop, pic-
nic and walk.
The trail follows Fishhawk Creek in a
forest of ferns and Sitka spruce, shaggy
with moss. The creek itself is lovely and
the 72-foot tall falls are a nice reward at the
end of the short trail. White water cascades
down tall basalt in fi rst a wide fall, then nar-
rows to a creek. The falls are clearly seen
from the end of the fl at trail.
In the creek itself, you may see a dip-
per, also called the water ouzel. This gray
robin-sized bird “walks” on water. It bal-
ances on the rocks right in the river and fl ies
quickly from spot to spot.
Peter Petrov and his family stopped by
with their camper trailer for a break from
their drive on Highway 202. He said he
travels the route for work and often stops
here for a rest or walk.
“I stop at all the parks. I’m not a city
guy,” Petrov said. “I’ve been stopping here
for years. It’s a nice little spot.”
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on the waterfront
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THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2021 // 7