Another Team Waterfall Adventure
Spencer's Quarry, Coyote Falls, Exit Falls, Bedrock Betty,
and Green Party Falls (our latest discovery)!
Jackson County, NC
Saturday, June 9th, 2018
Team Waterfall Group Photo at Exit Falls
I wasn't able to participate in all the Team Waterfall weekend plans, but I did decide to join in on the Saturday Afternoon adventure and the Saturday Night Camp Out.
Saturday Afternoon's plan was to explore Democrat Creek, a tributary of the Whitewater River. I decided to arrive at the campsite and set up my tent prior to the hike since I was pretty sure I would be setting up in the dark if I waited until after!
While setting up my tent, I spotted Spencer's head emerging from a Hammock. Shortly after that, I got a message from Andy saying the days plans were behind schedule.
So Spencer and I decided to visit Coyote Falls since neither of us had ever been there. Rather than taking the route up the creek like most people do, Spencer suggested an alternate route that would take us past an old quarry. Since we had plenty of time, and my name is Bushwhack Jack, I was definitely up for some off trail exploring!
Spencer Admiring the cool rock wall of the old quarry
The bushwhack was relatively easy and we had no problems finding the old quarry. The only mishap occurred when Spencer dropped his Cell Phone, which bounced a couple of times before sliding into a deep hole!
Spencer trying to recover his cell phone
Got it!
Spencer by the old quarry rock wall
From the quarry we continued our bushwhack to the west down to Little Whitewater Creek. I have seen photos of Coyote Falls before, but this one still exceeded my expectations. I believe we hit it at about optimum water flow!
Coyote Falls
Spencer and Me at Coyote Falls
Coyote Falls
After Coyote Falls, we drove on to the parking area for the Upper Whitewater River to meet the rest of the group. It was close to 3:00pm before everyone arrive and we got started. Some of the group still wanted to stick with the original plan, but after much discussion, we ultimately decided to scrap the plans to explore Democrat Creek. Most of us didn't feel we had enough time to fully explore what we wanted to see there!
Instead we decided to head down to Exit Falls via the Cave Route, which is really cool!
Christy descending through the cave to the base of Exit Falls
The Cave takes you to the base of Exit Falls where there is normally a nice beach area to hang out on. However, with the water levels up, the beach was mostly underwater!
Exit Falls
Darrin at Exit Falls
Spencer, Amos, and Stephanie at Exit Falls
A nice trail follows alongside the river from Exit Falls downstream to Bedrock Betty. Most of us took the trail, but one man known as The Salmon decided to take a different route!
The Salmon
Bedrock Betty is a very scenic cascading waterfall on the Upper Whitewater River!
Bedrock Betty
Bedrock Betty
Darrin at Bedrock Betty
Me (and Darrin) at Bedrock Betty
Bedrock Betty
Some of the group decided to head back after Bedrock Betty. But five of us (Andy, Spencer, John, Darrin, and Myself) decided to explore a short distance up an unnamed tributary stream. This stream is so small, that it doesn't even show up on most topo maps!
I really wasn't expecting much, and the small branch was fairly overgrown making for a difficult trek at the end of a day. However, it wasn't too long before we came upon this sight!
John at our newly discovered waterfall!
As far as we know, this one has not been documented anywhere. So we had some discussions about what to call it. Dead Snake Falls was one idea!
Darrin with a Dead Snake
But instead we went with a little political humor! Since this stream is located to the "far left" of Democrat Creek, we declared this previously unnamed stream, "Green Party Branch". And this newly discovered waterfall will forever be known as Green Party Falls!
John, Darrin, and Spencer at Green Party Falls
John Darrin, and Spencer at Green Party Falls
Spencer at Green Party Falls
After fully enjoying our new discovery, we returned back to Bedrock Betty and followed the easy route back to the parking area passing by the Magic Bus along the way!
The Magic Bus
On the drive back to the campsite we stopped to check out the pre-sunset view from the Wigington Road Overlook
Sunset from the Wigington Road Overlook
Spencer proudly wearing the official Team Waterfall T-Shirt
Sunset Selfie
We arrived at the campsite shortly before dark and had a very enjoyable evening hanging out around the campfire!
Hanging out around the campfire
The next morning, I decided to do the short hike from our campsite to the Whitewater Falls Overlook. A very touristy spot, but it was early enough in the day that I had it all to myself!
Whitewater Falls
This was another awesome team waterfall weekend.
My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157697979360345
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