Team Waterfall Birthday Celebration Weekend
for the Captain and the Professor
Somewhere in the Mountains of North Carolina
Day 2 - Saturday, July 13th, 2019
The Birthday Boyz at AAA Falls
We continued on downstream finding several additional smaller waterfalls and cascades.
It was after 6:00pm and we still had miles to go! Fortunately, the Professor was able to find a trail which we used to quickly cover the remaining few miles back to where we parked the shuttle vehicles!
I can honestly say that I will never forget this weekend! And I am pretty sure I will have a lifelong scar to remember it by!
As a commercial airline Pilot, Captain John has a fascination with seeking out old airplane wrecks which are scattered about the Carolina mountains. Once of these searches has led to the discovery of a waterfall which John named AAA Falls after his three daughters, Aubrie, Avarie, and Aislyn.
For Saturday's adventure, the Captain would lead us down to AAA Falls and then continue on downstream into unexplored territory. Of course this is easier said than done! The creek we would explore drops over 3,000 feet of elevation! This would be no easy task especially considering that there would be no trail for the majority of this expedition.
Since we knew this would be an all day adventure we dropped off shuttle vehicles near our planned exit point the previous evening so we could get a relatively early start!
Since we knew this would be an all day adventure we dropped off shuttle vehicles near our planned exit point the previous evening so we could get a relatively early start!
Seven Went In
Photo from the Spencer Clary Collection
L to R: Captain John, Ranger Elliott, Professor Scott, Bushwhack Jack (Me), Jill, and Spencer
Plus one more behind Spencer's Camera who wishes to remain anonymous
The hike started out fairly easy on a well maintained forest service road with some nice views along the way! There were some ominous looking clouds and some thunder booms in the distance.
We started at slightly above 6,000 feet in elevation, and would follow the creek all the way down to a little below 3,000 feet. This equates to over 3,200 feet of falling water with dozens of waterfalls and cascades! Here are some of the photos from our journey down the creek!
While we stayed on public land the entire time, I have been asked not to provide the location of any of these waterfalls.
As mentioned earlier, Captain John has spent years looking for the remains of a 70 year old airplane wreck in the area. We never did find the crash sight, but we did find one of the tires.
For most of the journey I kept towards the middle of the pack. However, at one point I ended up ahead and led the way to the base of what I thought was the prettiest waterfall of the day. According to the Team Waterfall rules committee, this gave me naming rights.
Therefore, I am officially calling this one Amy's Falls after my beautiful bride! Definitely not the tallest or most powerful, but the prettiest one in my eyes!
An easy start to our hike along a nicely graded and well maintained forest service road
Some nice views along the way
We started at slightly above 6,000 feet in elevation, and would follow the creek all the way down to a little below 3,000 feet. This equates to over 3,200 feet of falling water with dozens of waterfalls and cascades! Here are some of the photos from our journey down the creek!
While we stayed on public land the entire time, I have been asked not to provide the location of any of these waterfalls.
Spencer at the first major drop
The first major drop along the way
Telephone Pole Falls (this pretty falls was on a nearby tributary stream)
Cutlery Falls (2nd major drop)
Not sure if we gave this one a name (3rd major drop)
The top of AAA Falls
Hanging out at a nice cascade just above the top of AAA Falls
The Professor at the top of AAA Falls
Elliott at the top of AAA Falls
Spencer and Jill at AAA Falls
Scott and Elliott at AAA Caves
Elliott at AAA Caves
Scott at the 5th Major Drop
As mentioned earlier, Captain John has spent years looking for the remains of a 70 year old airplane wreck in the area. We never did find the crash sight, but we did find one of the tires.
Elliott by an airplane tire from a 70 year old plane crash
For most of the journey I kept towards the middle of the pack. However, at one point I ended up ahead and led the way to the base of what I thought was the prettiest waterfall of the day. According to the Team Waterfall rules committee, this gave me naming rights.
Therefore, I am officially calling this one Amy's Falls after my beautiful bride! Definitely not the tallest or most powerful, but the prettiest one in my eyes!
The Professor at Amy's Falls
Elliott at Amy's Falls
Triple Falls
Selfie time with the Birthday Boyz
Working our way down another waterfall
Happy Birthday Captain John!
Thanks for organizing and leading this epic adventure!
It was after 6:00pm and we still had miles to go! Fortunately, the Professor was able to find a trail which we used to quickly cover the remaining few miles back to where we parked the shuttle vehicles!
It sure felt good to get back on an actual trail!
I can honestly say that I will never forget this weekend! And I am pretty sure I will have a lifelong scar to remember it by!
My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157709706249286/with/48308438781/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157709706249286/with/48308438781/
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