Cooper Canyon Falls

It was a little cooler this week. I even thought about leaving my Sahara pants as pants instead of shorts .. for about 5 seconds.

The hike to Cooper canyon falls begins out of Buckthorn campground on Highway 2. Since the campground is still closed for the season, it is best to park at the campground exit. Here you will walk about .9 miles through the campground to the trailhead. There are plenty of signs now, all new, thanks to the recent renovation.

Trailhead also has a parking area if you are able to drive in.

From the trailhead, the hike is only 1.4 miles one way. It is all downhill and very little shade. There is the sound of rushing water almost the entire time, which I LOVE. If you go early in the season, like I did both years, be prepared to get your footsies wet. The trail has water crossing it in a few spots, and there are 2 creek crossings (including the one in the campground) and an additional one at the bottom of the falls. I wore my Brooks Cascadias and did fine, but I think this trail calls for a more sturdy shoe. Between the mud and rocks, I was sorta sorry I didn't have my Asolos.

Once you pass the first split - continue to your right (South East). At this point, it's only about .2 miles to the actual falls. You can see them to your left just below you. There is no sign, however, for the actual trail down to the falls. The trail is makeshift, steep with some mud. The last 15-20 feet is best navigated using the rope.

The first time I took this hike, I passed the falls and came to another creek crossing. At that point I knew I had gone too far, (you cans see the symbol for falls on the map, but it is not labeled, at least on my Tom Harrison map of the area).

If you have trekking poles, you can leave them near the rope. Also, with our dogs - we put Penelope in my pack and Teyla we let off leash. Fiance held her back until I got down, and I pointed the way she needed to go and she made it down no problem. She also does not like water too much, so we again held her until one of crossed the creek (at the bottom of the falls) and she then navigated to us. It was funny to see her try to climb the rock where we sat! "More paw, less claw". Well, she made it up but she had to find a way around the back of the rock.

Teyla was once again cordial to all the people on the trail and the doods down at the falls. They left about 10 minutes after we got there and we had the rest of the time to ourselves. I gave the Fiance a photography lesson on his new camera.

Sorry folks, all of my pics are from my android.

See the trail on Runkeeper here (including the walk through the campground)

Falls with pool (view from our rock)

Teyla, away from the water

Penelope on my lap on the rock (Cascadia's in the background)