Kentucky Falls is a beauty, tucked away high in the Coast Range in the Siuslaw National Forest. To get there, you must traverse gravel logging roads, which I would not advise during or following adverse weather. If you would like to see the falls in soft light, you need to head out early. The commute to the trailhead is at least 1 1/2 hours from Florence or Eugene. It took us longer than we anticipated and by the time we hiked to Lower Kentucky Falls and North Forks Falls, there was a harsh glare, making photography difficult. I have been trying to reel myself in from becoming so obsessed with my photography. I rarely use a tripod anymore, which was once my pride and joy. I find these days that more often than not, it becomes a burden, killing the spirit of the moment and taking away from the experience.
Logging is big business in Oregon, and with it comes much controversy. There are laws and regulations in place to “protect the forests” by replanting, however evidence shows that the clear-cutting method commonly used in Oregon has negative impacts on the environment, ranging from destruction of wildlife habitat to pollution of streams and drinking water. I bring this up because while driving these logging roads, you get a clear picture of recent clear cut. I will say that I have also observed groves of trees with signs posted stating the date they were re-planted. These planted forests were lush and beautiful, albeit the trees much smaller than the groves of protected old growth forests. Logging is a big part of the economy in Oregon. It has been a way of life for generations of Oregonians. Shipments of lumber to China date back to the 1800’s and over 1,500 lumber mills were running by the 1950’s. Only 10% of old growth forests remain uncut, protected on federal land.
