Bear Creek Lake Kayak Camping Weekend
A Team Waterfall Adventure
Jackson County, NC
Day 2
Saturday, May 20th, 2017
Bear Creek Lake, Party Island, Flat Creek Falls, Robinson Creek, Verdae Falls,
Tuckasegee River Gorge, Bonas Defeat
Bob, Darrin, Me, Christy, and Andy
I was awake before any signs or sounds of stirring from Andy or Christy, so I decide to start the day with a little paddle around the island.
Party Island on Bear Creek Lake
Morning Fog over Bear Creek Lake from Party Island
I also wanted to hit Flat Creek Falls before the sun rose above the ridge. The "trailhead" for Flat Creek falls is less than a 5 minute paddle from Party Island, and the hike is about a mile (each way). There is no official trail, but for the most part if you know where you are going you can pick up some obvious paths most of the way.
Flat Creek Falls is one of the most impressive waterfalls anywhere! Unfortunately I was a few minutes too late and the sun was already lighting up the top section of the waterfall causing less than optimal photo conditions.
Flat Creek Falls
When I returned to the campsite Andy and Christy were finally awake. Andy was going to paddle back to the boat ramp/parking area to fetch some more beer! Bob and Darrin were not expected for another couple of hours. So I decided to go on another paddle/hike to Verdae Falls on Robinson Creek.
The mouth of Robinson Creek is about a 15 minute paddle from Party Island. From there it is a short creek walk upstream to this small but scenic waterfall.
Verdae Falls on Robinson Creek
Cascasdes along Robinson Creek
Soon after I returned to party Island, Darrin and Bob had arrived. Andy returned a short time after.
Darrin (aka The Salmon) testing out the island's rope swing
After Darrin finished testing out the island's rope swing, the five of us decided to spend the afternoon exploring the Tuckasegee River Gorge (aka Bonas Defeat). This place has been on my to do list for years, but have never made it there until now!
From Party Island it is about an hour paddle to get to the mouth of the Tuckasegee River
Andy paddling by the first "Welcome Team Waterfall" Sign
Darrin
Bob
Where did the name Bonas Defeat Come from?
Legend has it that an old hunting dog, named Bonas, had been trained by
its master to run game off the rock face causing the game to fall of the
cliff deep into the gorge creating easy meat for the master.
However,
one day a smart buck caused the dog Bonas's death (aka defeat) when he
stepped away as the dog chased him causing Bonas to take the plunge that
he had caused so many of his hunting prey to take prior to his own
demise.
One very important note: Make sure you check the Duke Energy Dam Release Schedules and do not head into this area if there is a release scheduled of if there is any chance of a flash flood! As the signs say, the Tuckasegee River Gorge is used as flood control by Duke Energy.
Bob by another "Welcome Team Waterfall" Sign
We did do our research and found no dam releases scheduled for the day and any potential flash flood causing rains were not expected until much later in the evening. Plus we were only planning on exploring a very short section of the gorge.
Mountain Laurel
Andy geared up and ready to go!
We didn't go very far, but what we saw was awesome and we had a great time playing around and exploring this amazing gorge!
Team Waterfall hanging out at Bonas Defeat
Team Waterfall
Darrin "The Salmon" takes flight
Andy and Darrin checking out the slot canyon
Bob on the Rocks
Darrin and Bob
Exiting Bonas Defeat
I was very pleased that I finally got to experience Bonas Defeat, but I would definitely like to make a return visit for a full day exploration of the entire gorge!
Christy and Bob paddling back to Party Island from Bonas Defeat
The paddle back was uneventful and we all built up a thirst for the FABs (Frosty Adult Beverages) that were waiting for us back at Party Island. A very enjoyable evening was had by everyone!
Darrin, Christy, and Andy hanging out at our Party Island Campsite
Sunset over Bear Creek Lake from Party Island
Darrin photographing the Sunset
Bob, Darrin, Me, Christy, and Andy
Christy and Andy
Sometime after my camera was packed away for the weekend, Spencer and Carlos arrived at Party Island and the Team Waterfall celebration continued long into the night. Thanks to Bob's BAT (Big Ass Tarp), even the rain did not dampen our spirits.
The next morning I awoke to a steady rain. The one thing worse than packing up camping gear in the rain, is having to load it onto a Kayak, Paddle for an hour to the boat ramp, load all the wet gear into your vehicle, and then have to load and tie down your Kayak to the Roof Rack.
I had though about doing a few other short adventures on Sunday Morning, but I decided to pass on those plans due to the rain. In fact, my camera never exiting my dry bag since I packed it away Saturday night!
Despite the rain, it was a very enjoyable Team Waterfall Weekend!
The Complete set of photos from Day 2 are posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157681419857352
And if you missed Day 1, those are posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157684075711666
