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Middle Hemlock Falls is the first waterfall encountered along the Hemlock Creek Trail as one ascends from Lake in the Woods towards Hemlock Lake. It has the distinction of being both the best of the series of waterfalls along Hemlock Creek as well as being the most difficult to see, let alone get close to. As the trail nears Hemlock Creek for the first time, falling water can be heard, and a portion of one of the tiers of the falls can be seen. The uppermost tier finally comes into view shortly before a series of switchbacks, but the sliding 15 foot fall is the least impressive of the series. Below the 15 footer, the creek spreads out and drops about 25 feet over a wide block. As I scrambled down the steep slope to investigate this tier, I noticed a much more substantial ledge just downstream. As I approached the edge, a massive 80 foot (maybe more) plunging waterfall was revealed. Since the trail does not approach near the bottom of the largest tier, I could not get a photo of the fall, but it appears to be situated no more than a quarter mile from a road downstream, so access isn't out of the question.
- Middle Hemlock Falls is the Unofficial name of this waterfall.
Drive east from Roseburg to the small town of Glide, and turn south on the signed Little River Road. Follow the Little River Road for 25.8 miles to the signed Lake-in-the-Woods campground. About 500 feet past the campground turn right and proceed another 500 feet to the trailhead (one can also start from Lake in the Woods Campground if desired). The trailside portion of the falls is encountered about 3/4 of a mile up the trail. To see the main fall from the bottom, proceed 4/10 of a mile along the road from the trailhead to where it crosses Hemlock Creek, then scramble upstream for 1/4 mile.
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