Cheoah Bald Backpack and Ledbetter Canyon
A Team Waterfall Adventure
Swain County, NC
Friday June 14th and Saturday June 15th, 2019
Cheoah Bald Sunset
Ledbetter Canyon Falls is listed on page 411 of the Third Edition of Kevin Adam's "North Carolina Waterfalls" bible. Even more interesting is the section of creek upstream from Ledbetter Canyon Falls which is described as being virtually impossible to access.
After months of planning and several weather delays Team Waterfall would finally conquer Ledbetter Canyon. I was not comfortable with the Rappelling that would be required to reach this spot, but I still wanted to be a part of this Team Waterfall Weekend.
So Andy, Scott, and I hatched our own parallel plan!
We would start our weekend with a Friday afternoon backpack hike up the Bartram Trail to spend the evening camped out on Cheoah Bald.
At the Bartram Trailhead
At over 3,000 feet in elevation gain in just under 5 miles, this was no easy climb! Especially with a full backpack of camping gear! But it was quite rewarding as well! And we made it to the summit in time to set up camp and catch an Amazing Sunset!
Sunset from Cheoah Bald
Cheoah Bald Selfie with Scott and Andy
Boone and Kona enjoying Cheoah Bald
Our Campfire at Cheoah Bald
Kona at Cheoah Bald
Scott and Andy photographing the sunset from Cheoah Bald
Cheoah Bald Sunset
Once the sun went down, the temperature dropped dramatically and the wind really picked up! It was quite chilly, especially for those of us that forgot to bring pants. A beautiful sky, a near full moon, and even Jupiter made for quite an enjoyable evening around the campfire.
A near full moon above our campfire at Cheoah Bald
Scott hanging out by the campfire
Andy and Scott hanging out around the campfire
Can you spot Jupiter?
Our plan for Saturday Morning was to wake up in time to catch a sunrise. This is not a problem for me as I am almost always awake before the sun. Andy blamed his lack of pants for not being able to exit his tent.
This time of year, you can't actually see the sun rise from Cheoah Bald. However, there was still some very nice color to the sky!
Cheoah Bald Sunrise
Cheoah Bald Sunrise
Scott and I were packed up and ready to begin the hike back down by the time Andy woke up. Andy's plan was to cook breakfast at the campsite. However both Scott and I had planned out eating breakfast back at our vehicles. So Scott and I started our hike back down the mountain.
Scott ready to begin our hike down the mountain
Morning View from Cheoah Bald
Fire Pink
White Flame Azelea
Flame Azelea
Bartram Falls
This is where the rest of the crew planned to begin their descent down into the Ledbetter Slot Canyon
We were here right at 10:00am.
We figured the rest of the crew was behind schedule so we didn't wait around for long and continued on down. Less than a half mile from the trailhead, we ran into Everette who I have known from Facebook, but have never actually met in person! Until Now!
Scott and Everette
A few minutes later, the rest of the crew showed up.
From the Badger Selfie Collection (aka the Thomas Mabry Collection)
L to R: Badger, Rock Sprite, Bushwhack Jack, Mountain Cat, The Captain, The Professor, and Denali
Thomas (Badger), Kitty (Rock Sprite), Ryan (Mountain Cat), Everette (Denali), and John (the Captain) would continue the hike up the Bartram and start their descent of Ledbetter Creek at about the 3,000 foot elevation.
Scott and I continued down to the parking area. We had a nice breakfast and popped open a beer while waiting for Andy and the Dogs. What I was not expecting was Spencer to show up!
So we hung out with Spencer for a while and enjoyed another beer.
Once Andy and the dogs arrived we began our creek walk up Ledbetter Creek!
Unfortunately Ledbetter Creek was too much for Boone to handle and Andy was forced to turn back early. Spencer, Scott, and I continued upstream in hopes of running into the others.
Scott and Spencer by a nice waterfall on Ledbetter Creek
Scott taking a photo of Spencer
Nice cascades on Ledbetter Creek
The Professor in his element
Spencer heading up alongside another waterfall on Ledbetter Creek
Ledbetter Canyon Falls
Me, Scott, and Spencer at Ledbetter Canyon Falls
We had expected to run into the Rappel crew at Ledbetter Canyon Falls. Scott and Spencer decided to find a safe route up Ledbetter Canyon Falls, while I elected to turn back. I met back up with Andy at this nice cascade near the trailhead.
Nice cascade on Ledbetter Creek
I hung out with Andy for a little while before heading on home.
My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157709127774903
Note: Everyone else eventually made it home safely as well, but it turns out the Rappel was more difficult than anyone was expecting. They eventually were successful, but it took them over 10 hours to cover just over a mile!
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