Twin Lakes Falls explore… This ones been on my list to check out, and after seeing a recent report, I decided that Saturday would be the day.
I took the more direct approach, starting at Elk Lake, and just thrashed my way up and over the ridge, down to Battle Creek then up to the upper falls. The drop into the Twin Lakes drainage was a bit spicy due to the unstable ground after the big burn. I walked down the creek stopping at the top of the first falls. Would have been a nice drop, but today I am solo and just doing an explore, so no canyoneering gear. This first falls starts out low angle for 30’, then goes vertical for another 15’. I ended up climbing out of the drainage, traversing, then dropping down below the first falls, then climbing back out and scrambling to a nice perch above the big falls (Twin Lakes Falls). Wow, beautiful falls…tucked into a tight gorge with shear vertical walls on both sides. It was hard to really get a good look at the whole falls, top to bottom. I did get a look at the bottom…shallow and a bit committing. I would agree with the 145’ guestimate.
The drainage continues downstream with a couple of short drops, then disappears and reappears before dumping into Battle Creek.
Ugh, now for the 1400’ uphill battle. The first 500’ is ugly and slow…after that is a pleasant dark forest, with many logs to walk…same with the final descent back to Elk Lake.
Fun day…beautiful forest and awesome falls. 6-miles x 3000’ gain…
This route starts out on a nice trail for about a mile…then I take a left up the hill…
Through some pretty nice forest…
Nice view of Mount Jefferson through the trees…
After topping out on the ridge, heading down towards Battle Creek…
…easy going through this forest…
Then BAM! 500′ of Rhody thrash…
Enjoyed a nice break at Battle Creek…
Time to thrash over to the other side of the canyon…
Best way is to find logs like these…stay up out of the mess.
Now for a 450′ slog up post fire rubble…
Looking down into the Twin Lakes drainage…
Now in the Twin Lakes Drainage…
Standing at the top of the upper falls…
Near the bottom of the upper falls…
Sedum for Ada…
After walking the creek, arriving at the top of the short drops leading to the main falls…
Nice pool after the first drop…
Deep pool after the second drop, just before going over the main falls…
Most of the main falls…Twin Lakes Falls
Looking at the bottom landing… A shallow pool with a rocky shore…
Zoomed in shot…
Here’s the best I could get top to bottom. Zoom in and notice the dark brown log at the bottom of the pic. That’s at the shore of the bottom pool
Back at Battle Creek…
Twin Lakes Falls from across the canyon….
Taking a break, I had the feeling something was watching me…
My track for the day…
