2020-01-18 Deception Falls on Laurel Creek

Deception Falls on Laurel Creek

Pickens County, SC

with Andy, Jen, and Ryan

Saturday, January 18th, 2020

Group Photo at deception Falls on Laurel Creek

Andy got a tip about this one from Waterfall Legend Bernie Boyer.   A small crew braved the storm the previous weekend and made it to the top of this beauty.  However they ran out of time, weather, and daylight.

So Andy planned a return visit which I was able to join in on.  We had no problems finding Deception Falls this time around!

Deception Falls on Laurel Creek

Here are some additional photos from our adventure!

Group Selfie

Ryan by a small cascade

Jen and Andy

Bushwhacking through some deadfall

Ryan working his way down to the base of Deception Falls

Deception Falls on Laurel Creek

Andy and Jen

Jen and Andy at Deception Falls

Deception Falls on Laurel Creek

Cool mossy rock ledge at Deception Falls

We also checked out a smaller waterfall on the un-named tributary just to the east of Deception Falls.

Un-named Tributary Falls

Ryan by Un-named Tributary Falls

View from Horsepasture Road

We actually finished up in plenty of time to squeeze in some more.  However heavy rain and 35 degree weather with only one set of dry clothes to change into put a quick end to any additional plans.  Unless those plans involved a cold beer in hand and roof over my head (or tailgate in this case).

Four Came Out

My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157712771276991

2020-01-12 Hidden Dome Falls

Hidden Dome Falls Adventure

(plus Reid Branch Falls, High Falls, and a few roadside scenes along the way)

Transylvania County, NC

Sunday, January 12th, 2020

20 went in!

Group Photo from our Adventure

Photo by Spencer Clary

I made my first visit to Hidden Dome Falls this past Sunday!  Here are some of the photos from our adventure.

I thought the thick fog over Lake Keowee looked cool, so I made a quick stop along the drive to check it out.

Foggy Morning over Lake Keowee (on the Drive in)

 SC Hwy 11 over Lake Keowee

 Roadside view along the drive

 Reid Branch Falls

 High Falls on the Thompson River

 High Falls on the Thompson River

 Spencer, Kyle, and John at High Falls

 John and Kyle crossing the Thompson River

 Crossing the Thompson River

Un-named tributary Falls 

 Hidden Dome Falls

With such a large group, thing progressed much slower than normal.  Some of the group was not expecting or prepared for the bushwhacking involved, or the possibility of finishing up after dark.  I overheard a few of the girls getting genuinely concerned about their safety!

Since I was not planning to participate in the repelling down Hidden Done Falls, and I really didn't want to finish up after dark either, I volunteered to lead these four young ladies (plus Lily the dog) safely back to the starting trailhead, while the rest of the group continued on with the original plan.

6 came out (including Lily the Dog)

 This crossing of the Thompson River was much trickier than it looks.  

I was glad I was there to make sure everyone made it across safely.  

And to have a dry jacket just in case one of them falls in the river.

GPS Track from our Hike

Click here for interactive Link

Table Rock, SC  (on the Drive Home)

My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157712697532397

2020-01-04 Cathedral Falls and Laurel Leap Falls

Cathedral Falls and Laurel Leap Falls

with Jenni Johnson

Linville Gorge Wilderness

Burke County, NC

Saturday, January 4th, 2020

Jenni and Me at Cathedral Falls

For my first hike of 2020 I teamed up with Jenni Johnson to help her knock a few more waterfalls off her 500 North Carolina Waterfall Challenge list!

Driving up the Kistler Memorial Highway just after sunrise we couldn't help but notice all the cool clouds!  So we we stopped at several viewpoints along the way to the Conley Cove trailhead.

 Roadside view from the Kistler Memorial Highway

Jenni checking out the view!

Panorama!

 Roadside view from the Kistler Memorial Highway

  Roadside view from the Kistler Memorial Highway

 Roadside view from the Kistler Memorial Highway

First up on our waterfall agenda was Cathedral Fall (Page 86 of Kevin Adam's North Carolina Waterfalls - 3rd Edition).  This hike is all on trail.  However, it does involve a descent/ascent of approximately 1,300 feet in elevation over a little over a mile.  

Cathedral Falls

The Linville River at the Cathedral

Jenni at Cathedral Falls

Cathedral Falls GPS Track

Click here for interactive link

After returning to the trailhead, we decided to drive up the road a few miles and hit Laurel Leap Falls (Page 83 of Kevin Adam's North Carolina Waterfalls - 3rd Edition).

This "hike" is 100% off trail bushwhack.

Basically it is just head to the creek and follow it downstream via the path of least resistance for about a mile and a half.  And then it gets really hard if your goal is to get to the base!

There were several nice cascades along the way, but nothing overly noteworthy above the main drop.

Cascades along Laurel Branch

Cascades along Laurel Branch

Cascades along Laurel Branch

At the top of Laurel Leap Falls

View from near the top of Laurel Leap Falls

Laurel Leap Falls Selfie

Laurel Leap Falls

Laurel Leap Falls

Our "short cut" didn't work out too well, 

but it felt good to get our feet back on the Kistler Memorial Highway!

Laurel Leap Falls GPS Track

Click here for interactive link

My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157712604552163