Flat Laurel Creek Weekend
Pisgah National Forest, NC
Haywood County, NC
September 5th and 6th, 2020
The Professor Scott Burns suggested a early start so we could set up base camp along Flat Laurel Creek before beginning our planned creek walk upstream. Hopefully no one would mess with our plans!
One of the many benefits to getting up early is being able to enjoy the sunrise along the blue ridge parkway.
Sunrise along the Blue Ridge Parkway
Sunrise along the Blue Ridge Parkway
After sunrise, I made my way down to the lower Flat Laurel Creek parking area. The parking area has room for about 6 or 7 vehicles. However, when I arrived there were about 12 vehicles overflowing the parking area and all potential campsites large enough for our group were already taken.
We knew everyone else was running late, so Scott and I decided to go with Plan B. Unfortunately this entire area is a cell phone service dead zone and we were unsuccessful in informing the late comers of the new plan.
We continued about a mile down Hwy 215 to the parking area for Sam Branch and Wash Hollow Falls in hopes of finding a camp site for later and to check out a couple of waterfalls. I believe we woke up two men and a dog that have been camping there the night before.
There was plenty of room to set up additional tents/hammocks and asked if it would be OK if we shared the campsite.
They had no problem with that and our change of plans led us to meeting and hanging with some new friends.
Noah, Kyle O, and Anchor
Lower Sam Branch Falls
Me and Scott at Wash Hollow Falls
After setting up camp, Scott and I returned to the Flat Laurel Creek parking. Angelina and Kyle Logan were also planning to join in on the Flat Laurel Creek Walk. They thought we had already headed up the creek and quickly tried to catch up. Since they decided to take a trail for the return, we never met up with them. My only regret from the entire weekend was missing Kyle and Angelina (and their new puppy Sammy!)
There was no sign of Mindy or her vehicle so we explored around the trailhead area before deciding to head off on our own.
Scott at the Flat Laurel Creek Trailhead
This was my first time up Flat Laurel Creek and I can guarantee that it won't be my last! Here are some of the shots from our journey up Flat Laurel Creek.
Along Flat Laurel Creek with Sam Knob way up top in the distance!
The professor along Flat Laurel Creek
The Professor along Flat Laurel Creek
The Professor along Flat Laurel Creek
Waterfall on Flat Laurel Creek
Me and the Professor along Flat Laurel Creek
Waterfall along Flat Laurel Creek
Me and the Professor along Flat Laurel Creek
The Professor along Flat Laurel Creek
Flat Laurel Creek
The Professor along Flat Laurel Creek
Waterfall along Flat Laurel Creek
The Professor heading back down Flat Laurel Creek
On the way back down the creek, we finally found Mindy!
Mindy and Scott having fun along Flat Laurel Creek
After our adventure, we drove up to the Blue Ridge Parkway to catch enough of a cell signal to inform everyone of our campsite location and to snap a few photos.
View of Devil's Courthouse from the Blue Ridge Parkway
We returned to the campsite and enjoyed a fun evening around the campfire. At some point after dark, Spencer arrived with a few friends and we played around with a little night waterfall photography.
Scott and Mindy at our Campsite
Light Painting with Wash Hollow Falls
Jammin' on the Ukulele
Hanging out around the campfire
We all had a very leisurely morning around the campsite before packing up camp.
Breakfast #1 on the Campfire
Morning Meditation with Scott and Mindy
Mindy hiking across Sam Branch Falls in her PJs
The professor cooking up some egg sandwiches
Lower Sunburst Falls
Noah Pops a hand stand
Me with my new friend Anchor
The Guys!
Creek Walking is not one of Anchor's skills
Group Photo from Sunday's Adventure
L to R: Me, Mindy, Noah, Anchor, Kyle, Scott, Spencer
It was another awesome weekend of fun and adventure with some amazing friends!
My complete set of photos from the weekend is posted here:
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