2021-06-12 High Falls on the Tuckasegee

High Falls on the West Fork of the Tuckasegee River

Jackson County, NC

with Darrin, Bob, and Sean

Saturday, June 12th, 2021

 

Darrin (aka The Salmon) heard about some awesome swimming holes on the West Fork of the Tuckaseegee River, so we decided to check them out for today's Team Waterfall Adventure.

 

 Four Went In

L to R:  Me, Bob, Sean, Darrin

 

    

Sean at the Upper Drop of High Falls

 

 

High Falls

 

High Falls

 

Darrin jumping into a swimming hole at the base of High Falls

 

Bob at the base of High Falls

 

Salmon Jump just downstream from High Falls

Sean at High Falls

After spending some time at High Falls, we continued downstream to Thurston Hatcher Falls (aka Rough Run Falls).

 

Thurston Hatcher Falls (aka Rough Run Falls

In memory of Thurston Hatcher

Bob at Thurston Hatcher Falls

 

We finished up our day of waterfalls and fun at Serenity Falls (aka First Falls).

Serenity Falls

Bob watching the Salmon Back Flip at Serenity Falls

Serenity Falls

The Salmon checking out some potholes below Serenity Falls

The Salmon checking out some potholes below Serenity Falls

Four came out and enjoyed a few brews at Whiteside Brewing Company

 

 

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157719420628341

 

2021-06-06 DuPont State Forest with Jackie and Bob

DuPont State Forest

Hooker Falls and Wintergreen Falls

Transylvania County, NC

with Amy, Jackie and Bob

Sunday, June 6th, 2021

Our friends Jackie and Bob came up to visit Amy and Me at our new home in Mills River, NC.   We decided to take them over to DuPont State Forest for a bit of hiking.

We started the morning at Hooker Falls for a little warm up hike before the crowds arrived.

 

 

Hooker Falls

 

 

Jackie and Bob at Hooker Falls

 

 

With My Love! 

 

Other than a few fishermen, we had Hooker Falls mostly to ourselves for a little while.

Large herds of humans were starting to arrive as we were finishing up our hike, so we decided to save Triple Falls and High Falls for another time.  Instead we moved on to a less populated area of the forest and enjoyed a nice hike to Wintergreen Falls.

 

We had this one to ourselves for the entire time were were there!

 

Mountain Laurel in Full Bloom at Wintergreen Falls

Amy, Bob, and Jackie at Wintergreen Falls

Wintergreen Falls

Amy and Jackie at Wintergreen Falls

 

 

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157719427731537

2021-06-03 Grayson Highlands / Mount Rogers - Day 2 and 3

 

Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and

Grayson Highlands State Park, VA

With Professor Scott Burns

Day 2 & 3 - June 3rd and 4th, 2021

 

For day two of our Virginia Highlands camping trip, the weather forecast called from rain on and off throughout the day.

Rather than one long adventure, we planned a series of short hikes throughout the day:   
 

1. Cabin Creek Trail

The Professor at the Cabin Creek Trailhead

Lower Cabin Creek Falls

The Professor at the top of Lower Cabin Creek Falls

Upper Cabin Creek Falls

 

 

2. Listening Rock Trail

The Professor at the Listening Rock Trailhead

 

Listening Rock

 

The Professor at Listening Rock

At the base of Listening Rock

The Professor at Pac-Man Rock
 

The Professor checking out the cool striped rock

At the Elusive Overlook

3. Twin Pinnacles Trail

At the Twin Pinnacles Trailhead

Huge Boulder engulfed by an amazing tree

The Professor at Safety Shelter #5

Selfie with the Professor at Little Pinnacle

The Professor on Little Pinnacle

The Professor catches a chill on Big Pinnacle 

 

 

4. Rock House Ridge Trail

 

The Professor taking a break along the Rock House Ridge Trail

view from the Rock House Ridge Trail

Old homestead near along the Rock House Ridge Trail

The Professor taking shelter from the Rain

The Professor on top of the Rock House

Jones Cemetary

 

 

 

5. Grayson Highlands Wilburn Ridge area 

 

Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands

Heading up Wilburn Ridge

Cool Natural Tunnel (aka Fat Man's Squeeze) along the Appalachian Trail

Long Horn Cattle

Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands

Wild Ponies of Grayson Highlands

 

We did get drizzled on a few times, but for the most part stayed safe and dry!

I also did a short solo hike the next morning along the Appalachian Trail at Elk Garden.

 

Elk Garden Appalachian Trail Trailhead

Elk Garden

Morning Selfie

Heading high up into the Fog

Foggy Forest

Along the Appalachian Trail at Elk Garden

 

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157719395356376