RATtreks

Dick Creek Falls – 6-7-2015

After a year or more of trying to get my friend Daniel to Dick Creek Falls, it finally became a reality on June 7, 2015. Although this would turn out to not be the best choice due to very low water levels and intense bright sun all day, it was the only time he would be available so we made the best of it. I had been working on my old Chevy truck for the past year in hopes we could use it for this trip to eliminate a large portion of the hiking required and this would be its virgin trip since being put back in operation after spending many years of sitting. Due to the worn out suspension and so so tires it turned out to be a very rough ride but, we agreed it was better than walking (barely) and it did not let us down. Due to the long drive Daniel had to make to get to this area, it was nearly noon before we would meet up and get on the trail.

Lower Dick Creek Falls

Like I said it was a rough ride and there were some comments about how rusted out my floor board was, and the doors do not shut well yet, we were just happy to be there. It was slow going but, eventually we did reach the lower falls which would be our first falls of the day. Even with low flow these falls are bursting with breathtaking beauty as they are one of the most photogenic falls I have ever seen. We were quickly saddened to find that someone had axed down a large tree from the top of the falls allowing it to fall down into the splash pool which really made no sense and took away a lot of the serene beauty of these falls. Some other friends of mine have since removed this act of vandalism so it is once again a pristine falls. We spent some time here getting what usable shots we could get in the bright sun before returning to the truck to continue our epic adventure. Daniel had forgotten his tripod camera adapter so we would share mine during this entire trip.

Base of the freshly chopped tree at the top of the falls

Looking down at the chopped tree floating in the splash pool of the falls

Lower Dick Creek Falls

Lower Dick Creek Falls

Lower Dick Creek Falls

Lower Dick Creek Falls

Daniel at Lower Dick Creek Falls

Just above the top of Lower Dick Creek Falls is a gorgeous little grotto that is home to a beautiful small falls that I love hanging out at:

Small falls just above Lower Dick Creek Falls

Small falls just above Lower Dick Creek Falls

Small falls just above Lower Dick Creek Falls

It is a short ways from the lower falls up to the field near the end of the road where we would once again park the old truck as from here the journey would all be on foot. Continuing beyond the end of the old road I wanted to take the left side route up as I always do but, since it had been awhile since I had been here I somehow missed the turn and landed us into a bushwhack situation. Realizing my mistake we backtracked and continued a little farther up the valley until I located the right location where we crossed the creek and found the secret ninja trail that would lead us onto the open ridge along the left side.

My old blue Chevy truck parked at the top end of the field

Yellow Fungus found along the way

It was much easier walking after that and we took our time making our way towards the Upper Dick Creek Falls. Despite my many times of going this way, I somehow missed the hidden turn off to the falls and came out on top of them once again causing a short backtrack to the correct turn off which was all worthwhile once we found ourselves standing at the base of the falls. There was not much to see due to the low water levels yet we were having a grand time just being there. Daniel did experience the incredibly cold water of this creek before we continued on towards the next set of falls on the agenda.

Daniel cools off by doing a Hillbilly Baptism at the Upper Dick Creek Falls

Continuing upstream we soon came to the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls. These are always a treat and this day would be no exception even with the lack of water. The large log that sits at their base was now exposed with no water flowing over it. The cliffs that surround both sides of the falls are worthy enough of being there so we took a long break there to take in the beauty this area offers in abundance.

Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Daniel getting some pics at the base of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Base of the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

From there the going is a bit more difficult and interesting as the right side cliffs must be climbed and a series of narrow cliff ledges negotiated to safely reach the top of the falls. Then there is not much of a trail at all as it is a bushwhack to continue up the creek to get to the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls. It is worth the extra effort as Daniel did agree with, upon seeing the falls. We took another long break here getting what shots we could of these unique and magnificent falls.

Top of Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Looking down on Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls from the top

Daniel stands beside the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Daniel chilling out as he dams up the creek at the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

It was getting late afternoon and it was decided that we would not continue farther to see the next set of falls known as the Upper Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls. This would be saved for the next time when Daniel would return under better water and weather conditions. I did do a Hillbilly Baptism while we were there and I learned that the splash pool was much deeper than I had once thought ! The water was so cold it caused an instant brain freeze headache !

RAT`s Hillbilly Baptism at the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls (Photo by Daniel Jack Hutchison)

Me standing in some very cold water in the splash pool of the Upper Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls (Photo by Daniel Hutchison)

Once back at the Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls, we got some slightly better pics as the light had improved some. I would again do a Hillbilly Baptism there before we continued back out the Dick Creek Valley.

Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls (this was perhaps the best shot I would get all day)

Me doing a Hillbilly Baptism at Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls (photo by Daniel Jack Hutchison)

Upper Upper Dick Creek Falls

From the Upper Dick Creek Falls we would return on the opposite side than we had came in on by following the old log road there until it rejoins the valley which we would follow out to the end of the road where we had started.

Colorful Fungus found along the route

Colorful fungus growing along the way

Large mushroom found along the old road just before the truck

Back at the truck we were delighted when she fired up and successfully carried us back out the rough 2 miles to the highway. It had been another amazing day in Nature and we enjoyed ourselves immensely. Daniel would be spending a couple more hours in the area before returning home in hopes of finding Red Fork Falls which is nearby. I had to get home so I was unable to guide him to those. I am already anticipating the next adventure. Until then,,,,,