The upper section of Munson Creek Falls.
Peggy has been lobbying for a tour of Oregon waterfalls for quite a while. So, when I read that Munson Creek Falls was near Tillamook, I knew we would have to pay a visit on our recent trip to the coast. We drove over to Tillamook from Rockaway Beach where we were staying and then south for seven miles following Highway 101. Along the way, we passed the giant blimp hangar built during World War II that now serves as an air museum. I visited the hangar a couple of years ago when I was passing through the area. Close to the turnoff, we also passed the campground where I had stayed. At the time, I wasn’t aware of the falls— I’d been too busy counting rabbits.
A view of the blimp hangar during World War II. The blimps were used for spotting Japanese submarines off the coast. (Photo from Tillamook Air Museum.)
A photograph of the Air Museum I took on my previous visit. The airplane in front is known as a guppy. The house provides a perspective on size.
This lovely creature was one of over a hundred rabbits wandering around freely at Pleasant Valley Campground near the exit to Munson Creek Falls.
A sign along 101 told us to turn inland for the falls. We followed a narrow, pothole filled road that became narrower as we went, making it more difficult to dodge the potholes that were simultaneously becoming deeper and more numerous! The short three and a half miles felt like twenty. We finally reached the parking lot, however, and discovered that we had entered a rainforest. Trees covered in moss gave a magical feel to the area. An easy, quarter of a mile trail led off toward the falls. More moss-covered trees and rocks, the dashing Munson Creek, brightly colored fallen leaves, mushrooms and ferns lined the trail.
Moss covered trees gave a magical feeling to the path leading to the falls.
A close up of the hanging moss. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
And another. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
The damp conditions added to the colors of the leaves that had fallen along the trail.
A close up. This is from a Big Leaf Maple tree. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
These reddish mushrooms caught my eye.
Munson Creek dashed along beside the trail, keeping us company. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
A moss-covered rock decorated with fall leaves sat in the middle of the creek.
Moss, ferns and fallen leaves on a tree had a Christmas look.
A view of the trail.
Our first view of the falls assured us that we had made the right decision to make the trip. Water shot out from the top and tumbled some 319 feet to the bottom, making Munson Creek Falls the highest on the Oregon coat. Halfway down a log jam gave testimony to the power of the stream. The rainforest provided a dramatic backdrop. We wandered around seeking various vantage points to appreciate the beauty, and finally, being satiated, hiked back to the parking lot. The drive out went much faster, or so it seemed.
The 319 foot tall falls. The log jam with its large logs spoke to the power of the creek. I also like the moss-covered tree to the right.
A final look at the falls above the log jam. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
Photos: Most of the photos I use on this blog are taken by either Peggy or me. Photos without attribution are taken by me. I always note any other sources such as the Air Museum above.
NEXT POSTS: Almost everyone I know who tries to maintain a blog while writing books runs into a challenge with time. There isn’t enough. Solutions range from dropping out of the blogosphere for a while to limiting blogs. I am going to try something else for the next month. If it doesn’t work, I’ll have to a move to a more dramatic solution. Here’s what I am going to try: On Mondays I will do my usual travel blog; on Wednesdays I will put up photos from my collection of 76,000; on Fridays, I am going to blog my book on MisAdventures. The theory is that this will allow me most of the week to work on the book. We’ll see.
WEDNESDAY: We will drop down to the South Island of New Zealand and visit the beautiful Milford Sound.
Wandering through Time and Place 
I’ve been exploring waterfalls on the Oregon coast, too. I’ll have to check this one out the next time I am down there!
Glad to add another one to your list, Snuffy. 🙂 It is definitely worth the slight detour if driving down 101. –Curt
Just takes your breath away. I am not an ocean person. I was meant for high Mountains and Quaking Aspen but I can see where others would enjoy both.
My first love is the mountains as well Bradley, but any wild place calls to me including the ocean, deserts, jungles, etc. Each has its own unique beauty. Thanks for your comment. –Curt
Just west of me there’s an old blimp base. Only the four corner supports are left. They look a bit War-of-the-Worlds-ish, but they’re pretty cool. Industry has grown up around them a bit, and there are “keep out” signs everywhere, but I think now and then that I should go over there during business hours and see if I can get in for some photos. I’m pretty sure there aren’t any government secrets at stake, since the fencing is old cedar. On the other hand, perhaps it’s all a disguise: fake fencing, if you will. 🙂
Maybe its an extension of Area 51, Linda!
A blimp base at Moffet Field in the Bay Area has been taken over by Google and is being used to develop some of their more far out projects. –Curt
We wandered the length of the Oregon coast in 2012 and again in 2016, but your posts have shown us how much there is yet to see.
Every time I head over to the coast, I discover new places to explore, Ray. One could probably spend a lifetime and not see all there is to see. Thanks. –Curt
Long overdue for another visit to Oregon. Great photos.
Thanks, Peggy. The coast and Oregon await your return. 🙂 –Curt
Wow. Them hanging moss are incredible!
A whole different world, Suan, and Peggy captured them well. –Curt
Great photos, Curt. Lichen and moss did come up so well.
I always find moss covered trees, interesting, Gerard. They create a totally different feel and are fairly common up and down the north coast. Thanks. –Curt
The pot holed road is probably a good thing – stops hoards of people gate crashing the serenity!
Laughing, Andrew. Certainly the case at this time of the year. –Curt
The scene of Munson Creek and the tree with hanging moss looks like a great place to film a fantasy movie. Couldn’t you just see Hobbits romping through the forest?
You are absolutely right, G. My mind often thinks of Hobbits when I pass through such places. Thanks. 🙂 –Curt
Another wonderful wander through gorgeous settings. Thanks, Curt.
Wandering through gorgeous settings is what I do best, Sally. 🙂
Very cool blimp barn! But the fecund earth shots were especially wonderful here – the moss, the leaves, the fungi, etc. – all in those rich, wet, autumnal colors!
That barn had amazed me, Lex, particularly when I was wandering around inside: Cavernous! Fecund: get word to describe what we saw. Thanks. –Curt
Oh this it true PNW country. Beautiful. Peggy’s photos of the moss covered trees are gorgeous.
Alison
The PNW does have a look, doesn’t it Alison. I’ll pass your comment on to Peggy. –Curt
“PNW”- Took me 10 minutes to figure that one out. Pacific Northwest, got it. Now I got to go get a dictionary and find “Fecund” Geesh Smart people on this thing!
You’ve got me laughing, Bradley.
Hi Curt,
All we take when we leave the planet is our memories. I want mine to bring a smile and a laugh. I read other blogs and so much criticism and negativity. Refreshing that your followers are just fun to read. I prefer to be “Jocular”
Ha!
I’m right there with you, Bradley. Experiences have always been more important to me than material things. Occasionally, I touch on more serious subjects, but even there, I believe that a sense of humor is critical! Thanks. –Curt
A young lady responded that she loved waterfalls, I can not say it better than that, Something about mountain streams that plunge and work their way down.
I guess I too are ” Haunted by Waters”
They pull you in by both looks and sound, providing drama, peace, and beauty at the same time.
hmmm
Sounds like you should listen to Peggy whenever she speaks. This place looks gorgeous! I can’t believe I’ve yet to visit Oregon.
I always do, Juliann. 🙂 Now you have a bucket list item! –Curt
The falls have a lot more water falling than it did when I saw it two years ago.
Those Moss pictures remind me of the Spanish Moss in Savannah! Beautiful photos.
Thanks, MB. Jumped over to your blog. Very interesting post on Alcatraz. –Curt
Strangely enough, I’ve never been to Munson Creek Falls, although it’s a doable day trip. (Actually I only just heard of it a year or so ago.) On the other hand, I have been to Wednesday’s Milford Sound, half a world away. Your photos give me incentive to make that shorter trip.
Laughing, Dave. Munson Creek Falls are certainly the easier of the two to get to from Portland. New Zealand is always worth another trip, however! –Curt
Love waterfalls! Your pictures are lovely, my favorite was the big maple leaf! Haven’t been to Oregon yet but hope to visit one day.
We love waterfalls as well, Jordy, which is fairly obvious. The damp conditions gave an added boost to the colorful leaves that covered the trail. Thanks for commenting. –Curt
You’ve made me want to break out the map of Oregon now to see where Tillamook and Munson Creek Falls are. Your photos make me wish we had seen this area when we visited the state, but I guess we’ll just have to make a return trip! The moss-covered trees remind me of some of your photos of the Burning Man sculptures. Eerie, for sure.
Both the Oregon and Northern California coasts are spectacular, Rusha. Washington has a slightly different personality, as you will see from upcoming posts, but is also impressive. It is definitely time for you to plan a trip! 🙂 –Curt
Hard to pick a favorite photo from your stunning gallery, Curt! Oregon is a gorgeous state. That’s the problem in those United States. Too many gorgeous places to visit. And so many adorable bunnies…
I’ve been impressed by the Spanish moss while visiting Charleston and New Orleans. But the Oregon moss is not too shabby!
I know… so many beautiful places and so little time. And then there is the whole world out there! 🙂 I like the Spanish moss that grows in Florida and Georgia, too. It has a different feel to it. I don’t remember whole trees being covered in moss? –Curt
Pingback: The Highest Waterfalls on the Oregon Coast: Munson Creek Falls — Wandering through Time and Place – Marc Bombenon
Thanks for the repost, Marc! –Curt
Love the extraordinary moss-covered trees.