08/18 Day Trip part 2 Sweetcreek Falls

After we left Gardner Caverns we made our way toward home.  We planned enroute to stop and take in Sweetwater falls.  It was about 4:30 p.m when we set out toward our next destination.    The weather was still sunny, but not overly warm.  

Solomon's Seal to the Left

Below is cascade of Arrowroot

We drove about 45 minutes and pulled into Sweet creek;  There is parking and a picnic area just off Hghway 20 and a well marked cleared trail that is about a half mile hike into the falls.  

Sweet Creek Falls has trails wending through forests of Douglas firs, cedar and birch trees and three beautiful waterfalls.  The natural setting is perfect for watching wildlife, exploring and having a family picnic lunch.  The tranquil beauty of the clear running water of Sweet Creek rushing to the Pend Oreille River enticed us to follow the present day trail to Sweet Creek Falls, just as it once enticed the homesteaders of a century ago.

Halona wanted a picture of this Fuzzy

 

Granddaughter Halona

 

 

The Water Rills,  First of the falls 

 

White Froth of  creek 

 

 

Sweet Creek was the lifeline for early settlement in this isolated area, providing water for drinking, raising crops, and a flume carrying logs to the Pend Oreille River. Travelers enjoying a picnic at Sweet Creek today can only imagine how important were the major social events that comprisedthe Sweet Creek

Delicate White Star Flowers 

picnics of yesteryear.   The places was homesteaded by a pioneer family and they filed mineral and water rights and provided many events for the surrounding area at the falls.  

The annual school picnic from Usk was held there up  into the 1960s.   Manyweddings have been peformed there as well for the bride willing to hike in a bit for the beauty of her setting.  

Sword Fern along the stream

 
 PinkBelleLillies 

 

Purple Heal -All 

 

 

 

Blue Pea Vine Vetch 

   Grandson Chase at Mine

 

 

 

   Shaft Entrance 

One of the early settlers had a mining claim and took out gold and silver.  The place is still rich in gold as is evident by the blue and rose quartz and minerals.  

We all got out stretched and then taking kids made our way along the trail to the falls.  There  is a series of about three major falls as you climb you can see each one.  The creek was rich in colored quartz stone and agates.  I took photos of some of the flowers and foliage along the trail and the creek.  

A Cluster of over ripe Elderberries 

Rose and blue quartz were all over the place.   The kids kicked off shoes and waded into the shallow creek to hunt for pretty stones and cool their feet. 

White Fairy Bells 

Buttercups

Middle Falls  

Ledge of Sharp Shale Rocks

Below is a vein of Blue Quartz 

The kids were fastinated by all the shining rocks and red and blue quartz in the creek.  They kept finding one pretty rock after another, shouting look at this one, Or here is a really awesome one.

My  son  Dan against Shale 

Pretty Rocks in the creek 

Unripe Thimbleberries 

We then took photos of  one another against the backdrop of the largest primary falls.  

Large Upper Falls of Sweet Creek

We spent and two hours just relaxing and taking in the beauty of the area and then finally made our way back to the cars and home.   It was over all a very memorable and fulfilling day.  
LaDisa and Evan  

                                                            My Daughter and her Family against the falls 

I hope to go back next month and ride the train loop when the autumn colors are at their glory and get photos if things work out.    We had a really great time and got home tired but full of good memories of a great time shared.  

Jen and AJ  with falls in the background

Tamzi and  Brother  Gerrin