2016-03-25 Bearcamp Falls

Bearcamp Falls (aka Hilliard Falls)

Transylvania County, NC

with Brenda and Beth

Friday, March 25th, 2016

 Group Photo at Bearcamp Falls (L to R:  Me, Brenda, Beth)

Since we share a love for waterfalls, I have been friends on Facebook with Beth Bradshaw for a while now.   I have been following along as she works her way through the Carolina Mountain Club 100 Waterfall Challenge.  However, I have never met her in person until now!

Since Good Friday is a holiday at my company I was able to join Beth and Brenda to knock off #97 out of 100 on Beth's WC100 List.  At about 12 miles round trip, Bearcamp Falls (aka Hilliard Falls) is the longest hike on the CMC WC100 List.

Yellow Bells (aka Forsythia) in full bloom at the Lake Jocassee Overlook

(note: the overlook view was fogged in)

We started out at the Duke Energy Bad Creek parking area for the Foothills Trail.  There are very few level sections of the Foothills Trail and this section was no exception.

It started out mostly downhill to the crossing of the Whitewater River.

 Brenda and Beth Crossing the Whitewater River

Then up and over a ridge back down to the Thompson River.  

 The Thompson River

 Brenda and Beth Crossing The Thompson River

Then up and over another ridge before working our way down to Bearcamp Creek.

It would have been nice to have a few more clouds in the sky, but other than that I was quite impressed with Bearcamp Falls!

 Bearcamp Falls

This one gives a better sense of scale!

Beth photographing Brenda at Bearcamp Falls

Since my natural hiking pace is a bit faster than Beth and Brenda's I was able to get a little creative with my photography on the hike back.  Get a few minutes ahead and then stop and try to create something interesting while I wait for the other to catch up!

Recently almost all of my adventures have involved off trail bushwhacking gaining me the nickname "Bushwhack Jack".  It was a welcome change to hike 12 miles on an actual trail!.

It was a beautiful day for a hike!  Brenda is always a delight and it was a pleasure to meet Beth in person for the first time and to be part of her CMC 100 Waterfall Challenge!

The complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157666457744395