North Harper Creek Hike – 12.12.2009
December 12, 2009 | Category: Articles, General, Photography
Sean, Steve and I decided that a good old fashion hike was in order. I thought it would be a cool idea to show them Wilson Creek and hike into North Harper Creek to check out the falls.
We left their place around 10am and headed up toward Lenoir. We realized that it was going to be a perfect day for a hike, despite Steve’s sneaking suspiscion that we were in for bad weather.
Driving toward Wilson Creek.
Steve fiddled with his iPhone on the trip up, giving us up-to-date minute by minute updates on humidity, cloud cover, temperature, heat index, chances of perciptation and an assortment of other weather related things.
We arrived at Wilson Creek. I pointed out a few of my favorite rapids, we watched some people run them and then we headed toward the trail head.
On the way to the trailhead we came across some dog sledders. This was one of the highlights of my trip.
Dog Sledders!!
We pulled into the parking lot for the trailhead and departed on our trip for Harper Falls. I’m not going to lie. The thought that my source telling me about these falls was pranking me DID come into mind.
Cool ice that sticks out of the ground.
Steve already falling behind.
Sean walking on the trail.
A cool rock wall we climbed up.
After we got a little more than half way we found a cool island in the middle of Harper Creek. We found a fire pit and decided to make some cous cous there. Steve wandered off while Sean and I began cooking on my new home made stove.
Sean and I cooking cous cous on my stove. Steve had wandered off.
The water boiled in about five minutes!! (Two cups of water)
The finished Cous Cous.
Stomachs full, we headed off to the falls. The trail got a little steeper and slicker, but nothing unmanageable. Finally, we arrived at the falls. I wanted to see them up close so we climbed down through thick forrest to reach the side of the river.
First site of the waterfall!
The first drop.
The second drop. (40ish ft) and the third slide in the distance.
Ice
Wider view of the drop. (Third drop not pictured)
The verdict: this drop is clean, runnable and next time we get a decent amount of rain, you can bet John and I will be there running it. We had an awesome hike and we are planning our next hike. My thoughts: hike into the Green Narrows to show Sean and Steve Gorilla.
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Chris Wing
on December 28th, 2009Count me in James! I will be back in NC/SC on the 4th after I fly back and teach a clinic on the 3rd and 4th, twoonesix.789.threesixnineone