Holly Matkin has spent most of her
life on her family's fourth-generation
cattle and elk ranch, where she also
works as a freelance writer for various
local and national publications.
S
MT
Smith Creek's Hidden Oasis
You can't access the most striking portion of the falls
without geing your feet wet, but why would you
want to? Venture out into the creek, and discover
what the trail's shield of trees has been hiding.
As you turn downstream, the unassuming sparkling
waters give way to majestic, tumbling tiered falls and
deep emerald pools, capped off by the cascading
waterfall that greeted you on the way in. Trickles
of water from an unseen spring seep down the
moss-speckled rock face that cradles the blue-green
pool below.
e pristine tranquility of the scene seems almost
tropical, if not for the frigid waters. Take an icy
plunge into the largest of the pools, or ease yourself
into the invigorating, churning froth of the smaller,
tub-like rock basins. Follow up your shockingly
refreshing dip by basking in the solace of the sun-
warmed rock slabs at the water's edge, as you take
in the peaceful roar of the cascade below.
Aer all, this is the moment you've been
waiting for.
SiG
MT
69
The tranquility of the
Smith Creek falls is
second to none.
