Ruckel Creek. Three trips and counting. Trip 1

It's 2009 and my brother is back for Christmas vacation as is the case most years. Because he lives in the flat lands of the mid west an adventure is always on his mind and it is my job to come up with that adventure each year. This time around I chose to do some off trail waterfall hiking and Ruckel Creek in the Columbia river gorge was at the top of the list.

Spawning Salmon

Ruckel Creek is the next drainage system to the east of Eagle Creek in the gorge. The Salmon above was spawning in Eagle creek just north of the fish hatchery. We parked our car across the street from the fish hatchery to start our hike in.

As the day starts we hiked along the old highway till we reached the trail sign for Ruckel Creek trail. Following this for about 25 feet was all the trail we would see for quite some time.

Creek at the trail head.

Considering that it was the day after Christmas the water was up from winter rain and the temps were in the low 30's. Everything was supper green from the recent rain fall so the forest was full of beauty.

Ice sickles over Ruckel Creek

Time for a crossing.

Creek crossings were not to bad even with all the water but the thought off falling in was always on our minds. Soon we came to the first falls. I was a little surprised as it was about 10' tall but very load and pretty.

I had been told there would be very large boulders before the falls and there were not any but soon we found out what was up.

Small falls one.

We crossed the creek and got around it on the right side and before we new we were met with a second falls of similar size. This time we headed right again but up a very steep slope for about 30'. Once we reached the top our current location in the drainage was apparent.

Ruckel Creek

House of the hollies boulders in the background.

House of the Hollies is the name given to the corridor formed by three boulders as big as houses. Ruckel creek travels right through the middle of the boulders on it's way down the drainage. Under normal conditions people get to walk right through the boulders along the creek drainage but the water was to high and to cold on this day. This did tell me that we were close to the first true falls on Ruckel Creek.

This small falls blocked our way and up the slope to the right we went.

Through the forest was easy going and soon we could hear the sounds of what we new lay ahead.

Mossy Grotto Falls Ruckel Creek

Stopping to take in the seen it was clear how it had gotten it's name. I ran up the slope to the right to get some photo's of the world before me.

Mossy Grotto Falls

Mossy Grotto Falls note the ice on the right wall.

My brother and I move on up the creek for some more views and a closer look.

Mossy Grotto Falls

Mossy Grotto Falls

Me and the Bro at Mossy Grotto Falls

Mossy Grotto Falls

My brother at Mossy Grotto Falls

After we spent some time enjoying the falls we headed up and around it on the left. This took a little doing but soon we were back down near the creek and headed to number two. I had been told it was not far so I did not think it would take that long.

Mossy Grotto Falls from high on the left.

As it turns out they were right and soon we were at falls number two. It had been awhile since we had started so lunch was in order as well as more pics.

Middle Ruckel Creek Falls

Middle Ruckel Creek Falls

The snake stick.

The time had gone and it was time to leave. There was only about one hour of light left and we needed to be out of the drainage by then for sure. I thought to my self that the Ruckel Creek trail was way up to the left some ware so we headed up after it. After about 30 minutes of very steep hill climbing we found a large scree and the trail on the other side. I new we would get down safe for sure after that.

My brother in the scree

Ruckel Creek trail and the way home.

Down the trail and back to the car we got in just as full darkness set in but what a day it was. I could not wait to do it again and that is just what I did.