| Nestucca River |
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The Nestucca River is a river, approximately 50 miles (80 km) long, on the Pacific coast of northwest Oregon in the United States . It drains a forested timber producing area of the Northern Oregon Coast Range west of Portland . It rises in the mountains of western Yamhill County . Not far from its headwaters the river is impounded to create McGuire Reservoir, the primary water source for the city of McMinnville . It flows generally west through Bureau Of Land Management land and the Siuslaw National Forest . It flows past Beaver , then southwest past Hebo and Cloverdale . It enters Nestucca Bay from the north on the Pacific Ocean at Pacific City . The Little Nestucca River , does not join the Nestucca but enters Nestucca Bay from the south. FISHING ALDER GLEN FALLS
This unofficially named and relatively minor waterfall varies considerably seasonally. In the winter, the falls veil out over a broad ledge, spilling 35 feet almost directly into the Nestucca River. In the summer, the creek runs much lower and the falls can become almost totally obstructed by the surrounding growth. When the Nestucca River is running low enough, fording the river to the falls is trivial, but in the winter months, the falls are easily visible from within the Alder Glen Campground. The falls are located off the Nestucca Byway, southeast of Tillamook. Follow US 101 14 miles south of Tillamook and turn left onto Blaine-Nestucca River Road. Follow this road for about 17 miles to the Alder Glen Campground. Park where room is available, trying not to encroach on any campers. The falls can be best seen from a campsite about 2/3 of the way through the loop road. LOWER CLARENCE CREEK FALLS
The Forest Service has advertised Clarence Creek Falls by sign along the Nestucca River Road. What neither the Forest Service has done, nor does the book “A Waterfall Lover’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest”, is identify which of the two waterfalls along Clarence Creek is intended this designation. Topographic maps delimitate the different falls, but the lower of the two falls is near impossible to see, especially if not watching carefully. The lower falls consists of three sliding steps, totaling about 60 feet. A significant amount of foreshortening doesn’t allow the falls’ size to truly be illustrated, and a twist in the gorge at the falls obstructs the upper tiers from being seen from all but a few perspectives. Because the upper and lower falls of Clarence Creek are located within about 500 feet of one another, I’m designating them as lower and upper. Unfortunately neither fall is easy to see because there are no developed trails or viewpoints, this being the vastly more difficult to see. UPPER CLARENCE CREEK FALLS
The Forest Service has advertised Clarence Creek Falls by sign along the Nestucca River Road. What neither the Forest Service has done, nor does the book “A Waterfall Lover’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest”, is identify which of the two waterfalls along Clarence Creek is intended of this designation. While it isn’t totally clear which of the two falls the forest service is designating (this is the obvious target), the aforementioned book lists this 40 foot veil as Clarence Creek Falls. Because the two falls are located within about 500 feet of one another, I’m designating them as lower and upper. Unfortunately neither fall is easy to see because there are no developed trails or viewpoints, but of the two, this one is easier to view – at least when the trees are not leafed out. The falls are located off the Nestucca Byway, southeast of Tillamook. Follow US 101 14 miles south of Tillamook and turn left onto Blaine-Nestucca River Road. Follow this road for about 11 ¾ miles. At this point, you should see signs for Clarence Creek Falls pointing towards the left, and directly across the road is another road that leads in the opposite direction. Turn left, following the sign, and continue uphill for almost a mile to a turnout at the top of the falls. Its possible to scramble to the base of the falls with caution, but it isn’t recommended. NIAGARA FALLS
Far from the grandiosity of its eastern counterpart, Oregon’s Niagara Falls evokes a sense of serenity as it sprays about 100 feet over a dark basalt escarpment. To clear up some common confusion, Niagara Falls isn’t on Niagara Creek, but rather Pheasant Creek, and neighboring Pheasant Falls lies on an unnamed tributary. Because Pheasant Creek loses much of its volume in the warmer months, this is definitely one to visit in the winter and spring. By the end of July, the falls will be a shadow of their true self – though admittedly much better to take a shower under. The falls were named for nearby Niagara Point, rather than its similarity (or lack thereof) to its eastern counterpart. PHEASANT FALLS
Pheasant Falls is a pretty, though low volume, 100 foot tall horsetail neighboring wispy Niagara Falls. The confusion regarding the names of these two falls has swirled about for years without certain clarification about either. This one of the pair is officially unnamed, but is commonly referred to as Pheasant Falls. The stream the falls occur along is unnamed, and while technically perennial, loses almost all of its flow by July. During the winter months, the falls become rather attractive, turning the pleasant stroll to Niagara Falls into a great two-for hike. This name stems from confusion over which streams both Niagara and Pheasant Falls occur along. Niagara Falls actually occurs along Pheasant Creek, but most people assume that it lies along Niagara Creek. Because of this confusion, this name has become accepted for Pheasant Falls. TESTAMENT FALLS
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