The Adventures of Bushwhack Jack: July 2021

Monday, July 19, 2021

2021-07-17 DuPont State Forest with Amy, Jenny, and Joanne

DuPont State Forest

Triple Falls and High Falls

with Amy, Jenny, and JoAnne

Transylvania County, NC

Saturday, July 17th, 2021

Amy's sister Jenny and friend Joanne came done to visit this weekend. I convince the girls to get any early start so we could beat most of the weekend crowds at DuPont State Forest!

Four Went In

L to R: Me, Joanne, Amy, Jenny

Triple Falls - DuPont State Forest

Amy and Me at Triple Falls

Amy, Jenny, and JoAnne at Triple Falls

High Falls - DuPont State Forest

Amy at High Falls

Jenny and Amy at High Falls

It was a delightful morning even though the girls decided I needed a good splashing!

Sister's Having Fun!

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157719616637025

2021-07-15 Raven Fork in the Smokies

Raven Fork Adventure

with The Professor and Captain John

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC

Thursday, July 15th, 2021

Group Photo at Big Boy Falls

Raven Fork in the Smokies has moved to the top of my list of longest and most difficult creek walks I have ever done! But it sure was fun!

Raven Fork

Captain John and the Professor along Raven Fork

The Professor heading up Raven Fork

Captain John at Big Boy Falls

Big Boy Falls

Raven Fork

Captain John heading up Raven Fork

The Professor and Captain John taking a break along Raven Fork

Raven Fork

The Professor and Captain John heading up Raven Fork

Raven Fork

Captain John along Raven Fork

Finally to the Iron Bridge

The Professor back on the Trail!

It's all down hill from here!

My complete set of photos are posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157719574258937

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

2021-07-10 Pisgah Hike with Hugh

Pisgah Hike with Hugh

John Rock, Cat Gap Loop, Cedar Rock Creek Falls

Pisgah National Forest, NC

Saturday, July 10th, 2021

Hanging with Hugh at John Rock

Amy's sister and family came down for a visit this weekend. While the girls took a trip down to Rutherfordton to visit with their parents, I took my brother-in-law Hugh hiking.

I have really gotten spoiled with my ability to get out hiking during the week, as I underestimated the number of other humans that would be out and about today!

Way too many other humans at Looking Glass Falls

Obligatory Selfie with Hugh at Looking Glass Falls

Looking Glass Falls

Hugh at Looking Glass Falls

We made a quick stop at Looking Glass Falls before heading to the Pisgah Fish Hatchery parking area which was literally overflowing with vehicles. I got creative with my parking, and once we hit the trails the worst of the crowds quickly dissipated!

We did the 5.6 mile Cat Gap Loop including John Rock and Cedar Rock Creek Falls. Here are a few photos from our hike:

View of Looking Glass Rock from John Rock

Hugh at Upper Cedar Rock Creek Falls

Hugh at Cedar Rock Creek Falls

Cedar Rock Creek Falls

Butterfly on my Backpack

Cute Family

Looking back up at John Rock from the Fish Hatchery

We got word that the girls were heading on a shopping excursion, so we had time to stop for a brew or two with Hugh on the way home!

Hugh checking in with his better half at Ecusta Brewing

Listing to the Gin Mill Pickers while enjoying

brew Number Two with Hugh at Mills River Brewing

Back at home with the rest of the gang

L to R: Me, Amy, Jenny, Caroline, Hugh

My complete set of photos is posted here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157719538470793

2021-07-06 Grandfather Mountain with Scott

Grandfather Mountain Hike with Scott

from the Boone Fork Trailhead

Julian Price Campground, Price Lake, Flat Rock

Watauga, Caldwell, and Avery County, NC

Tuesday, July 6th, 2021

Me hanging out along the Grandfather Trail

(photo by Scott Burns)

I had a fun couple of days hiking and camping with my good friend Scott Burns (aka The Professor).

Scott and Me at the Summit of MacRae Peak

We hiked from the Boone Fork Parking Area all the way to the Swinging Bridge and Back (approx 12 miles round trip). Here are some of the photos from along the way.

The Professor along the Cragway Trail

The Professor along the Grandfather Trail

At the Summit of MacRae Peak

Scott at the top of the MacRae Peak Ladder

Climbing Down the MacRea Peak Ladder

Looking back at MacRae Peak and Calloway Peak

Lots of Ladders along the Grandfather Trail

Grandfather Gap Selfie with The Professor

Way too many humans!

Glad we didn't have to pay $22.00 each for this!

Along the Grandfather Trail

The Attic Window

At Indian House Cave

The Professor along the Grandfather Trail

Gray's Lily

Old Plane Wreck near Calloway Peak

Enjoying some fine post hike local Pale Ales with the Professor

After our hike, we had an enjoyable evening camping at the Julian Price Campground.

The next morning we explored a bit around Price Lake and finished up with a short hike along the Flat Rock trail which offered a nice view of the mountains we hiked the previous day!