RATtreks

Upper Whitewater River Gorge (NC) Misc. Falls – 7-23-2016

My next adventure would be a group hike organized by my friend Thomas (The Honey Badger) Mabry to one of the many audacious locations found within the wonderful ‘Mr. Badger`s Outdoor Neighborhood’. This adventure would take us to the upper realm of the Whitewater River in Jackson and Transylvania County (the county line runs down the river) located in Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest areas. The hike is listed as ‘extremely difficult’ and for most waterfall hikers that would be a true statement however, it would not apply to the ones who were included within this particular group. We would be seeing multiple waterfalls before this day was over starting with the appropriately named ‘Entrance Falls’ which lies at the entrance of what is known as the Upper Whitewater Slot Canyon. Access to these falls can be tricky as the easiest way requires going across a short section of private property within a sort of gated community but, our expert and very knowledgeable leader, the Badger, knew the precise route to follow to avoid any issues and we soon found ourselves on the other side of civilization and following the Upper Whitewater River into the Jocassee Gorge area of North Carolina. (Note: I thought at the time that we were going to the 800+ feet high Whitewater Falls ! I was a bit disappointed when I learned that we were not but, that quickly faded away when I first laid eyes on the Slot Canyon !)

Sculpted Falls (these are halfway through the Upper Whitewater River Slot Canyon just below Entrance falls)

With the precise guidance of the Badger, and a beautiful hike through a pristine wooded area, we soon were off-trail, dropping down into the river at a precise point located at the top of our first waterfall of the day that Badger named ‘Nasty Falls’. I have not seen any other pictures of this falls on the internet so it was a fitting place to start for this group.

View from top of Nasty Falls

Small falls and deep pool at the tip top of Nasty Falls

Top of Nasty Falls

Top part of Nasty Falls

Nasty Falls

Excellent image of Nasty Falls (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Nasty Falls

Here I am trying to last 8 seconds on a log named ‘Fu Manchu’ ! Tyler is in the water and John is capturing the moment in time. (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Me riding the log and Tyler swimming at Nasty Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

Tyler taking a dip to sooth his bee sting in one of the many deep pools just below Nasty Falls.

There is no trail here, one simply follows the river downstream as best as one can. You either get wet by wading and swimming across the deep potholes or, you fight your way through the thick laurels along the slick, slanted rock sides and potentially end up wet anyway ! My son Tyler did get bee stung doing this but, luckily we did not see any more as we made our way carefully down the river towards what is known officially as ‘Entrance Falls’. These falls are truly amazing as the entire river narrows down and drops quickly into one of the nicest slot canyons I have ever seen.

Renowned photographer Everette Robinson making his way down the river being careful not to step off into one of the many deep potholes.

Our fearless leader Badger (closest) with Everette and the Gnome (John Forbes and in that order) make their way down the river from Nasty Falls.

The Badger being sucked into a pothole below Nasty Falls ! (unsure who took this photo,sorry)

My first view from the top of Entrance Falls looking down them towards the start of the slot canyon

Not sure what Tyler and I were discussing here but, obviously two heads are better than one ? (Photo by Scott Burns)

John (Gnome) Forbes and Scott (The Professor) Burns and I make our way beside Entrance Falls towards the start of the slot canyon. Here you can see how the wide river narrows greatly to enter the slot.

Scott pointing something out to my son Tyler at Entrance Falls at the beginning of the mighty slot canyon

More great minds show up to the meeting ! (photo by ? )

A happy Gnome posing on the edge of the abyss at the top of the slot canyon

Part of the group assembled at the top of the slot canyon at Entrance Falls (left to right) Gnome, Badger, The Professor, Tyler, and another great photographer Chris Berrier.

Everette doing his thing at the top of Entrance Falls

Looking down into the beginning of the slot canyon at the lowest part of Entrance Falls

Looking down into Entrance Falls as it enters the slot canyon

Base of Entrance Falls and the start of the slot

Looking down into the upper part of the slot canyon

Looking down the slot canyon from near the base of Entrance Falls

Entrance Falls

The Badger finds a puckering perch to get pics of Entrance Falls

Threatening skies over Entrance Falls . You would not want to be caught in a slot canyon / gorge during a flash flood !!

Amazing shot of Entrance Falls taken by Chris Berrier

Looking at the base of Entrance Falls across a small part of the slot canyon

Looking down into a small section of the slot canyon

View straight down into the slot shows how the water has carved it out over many years. I hope to swim through this one day.

Looking down the lower part of the slot canyon I spied the Professor atop a tall rock spire. what I dd not know at that time was he was seeing Sculpted Falls but, i would soon learn when i found my way down the sketchy goat path to get there !

Another view of the amazing rock formations of the slot canyon. This is actually the top of Sculpted Falls.

My view of Scott (The professor) as I stand just above Sculpted Falls. Another excellent view of Sculpted falls is on the top of the rock cliff just across from Scott`s position. I did find the route to it but, regretfully did not take the time to go out there.

Looking down into the slot I am seeing the base of Sculpted Falls (barely) although I did not know it at the time. The rock formations are incredible down there.

Looking down the slot you can see how narrow and tall it really is.

Part of the group hanging out getting pics from the top of the upper slot canyon at Entrance Falls

Looking over at Scott you can see how slanted the rock spire is that he is laying on. You have to be extremely careful anywhere in this area.

Pure unadulterated slot beauty

leaning out over the edge to capture a really narrow part of the slot canyon

I was longing to be down in the slot the entire time !

We did manage to make our way around the VERY slick almost non existent and VERY slanted goat trail just beyond these falls to get out on top of one of the tall, rock spires that overlook the slot canyon where we could get a view of what is called ‘Sculpted Falls’. I do not have adequate words to describe the beauty of these falls so I will let the pictures do the talking for me. (I am not sure why I did not bother to get my larger camera out for these which is a decision I now regret)

Me high above Sculpted Falls (not sure who took the picture but, will edit when I find out)

Sculpted Falls

John gnome poses a dangerous puckering perch above Sculpted Falls (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Sculpted Falls

Sculpted Falls (Photo by Cathy Anderson)

Excellent image of Sculpted Falls (Photo by Chris Berrier)

I wanted so much to go down Entrance Falls into the slot canyon and follow it out but, we were not prepared for such a task so that will have to wait for a future return trip. Instead we would have to backtrack to above Entrance Falls and pick up an actual trail which would take us to another trail much farther down the river to what is known as ‘Exit Falls’. To reach those falls would require an extremely steep descent down a side trail using a series of long ropes, the last of which was nearly vertical that would drop us back at water level of the river just below a cave and Exit Falls. It was here that the Badger would become entangled on a rock on the last rope and required assistance while dangling there which ended up ripping the seat out of his shorts to acquire his freedom. We all rejoined there at Exit Falls, a 40+ foot vertical falls which marks the end of the slot canyon for a long snack and drink break while everyone enjoyed the falls.

A very deep bathtub shaped pothole

Partial group shot at Entrance Falls. I can`t tell if Badger if giving a thumbs up or flipping him off !! (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Backtracking up river away from Entrance Falls I looked back to see the Gnome and the Badger posing at the beginning of the slot canyon !

Tyler using the rope on the steep descent to Exit Falls. The camera does not show the steepness but, you can tell by the death grip and body positioning that it is indeed steep. That and the fact there are ropes there !

I got some pics of the Tyler and the Gnome going down until it came my turn.

Tyler almost to the end of his rope ! It drops off nearly vertical using a different rope not far from where he is standing

Tyler actually fell here as it was not only steep but, it was also slick.

John has already made the transition from the first rope to the next one and is descending a much steep part as Tyler awaits his turn.

I think Tyler was having a good time !

What you can`t see from here is the place where John is now becomes vertical rock that is very wet and has no footholds.

My first view of the sandy beach near Exit Falls after completing the steep rope descent

I stayed at the bottom of the rope to capture Everette and the Badger as they made their way down.

The Badger using the ‘badass’ face forward approach, cause badgers don`t need no stinking ropes !! lol In reality, he was hung up on a root and could not move. Ended up having to tear the seat out of his shorts to get free !

Here the professor assists the Badger in getting loose from the Evil Dead root that had him bound.

The result of getting Badger unstuck ! (photo by Chris Berrier)

This phenomena is known as ‘Extreme Badger Ass’ (Photo by Cathy Anderson )

My son Tyler and I could not resist the temptation of swimming across the huge splash pool to reach the base of the falls to see if a Hillbilly Baptism could be possible. The current was strong and there was not much of anything to stand or get a hold of yet, somehow we managed to pull it off as well as get behind a part of the falls before making the swim back. The Badger knew a special spot to photograph this feat from which required climbing up through the cave beside the falls and down another vertical rope to the base of the cliff along the river left side of the falls which gave him the perfect angle for the shot. We do appreciate his efforts for this.

Exit Falls

Scott ‘The Professor’ Burns having a Zen moment at Exit Falls as Tyler and myself explore the base of the falls (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Me taking some pics of Exit Falls (Photo courtesy of Chris Berrier)

Great photo of Exit Falls (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Tyler and me behind the veil of Exit Falls (Photo by Thomas ‘The Badger’ Mabry)

Tyler and I fighting the current of Exit Falls (Photo by Thomas Mabry aka The Badger)

Tyler and I swimming back from Exit Falls (Photo by John Forbes )

Excellent photo of Exit Falls (Photo by John Forbes )

Eventually we would all make the steep climb up through the cave and down yet another very sketchy rope descent to be able to stand at the top of the falls. I will say that this is a dangerous part of this adventure. Looking off the top of the falls was stunning but, that was soon dwarfed by the view looking directly upstream and into the lower end of the slot canyon and what is known as Little Canyon Falls. I had been looking so forward to being here so as to get to swim in the deep canyon pool at the base of these exceptional falls.

Following one of the group into the entrance of the cave

Looking up through a crack in part of the cave

Looking out from the entrance of the cave

The Professor and The Gnome smoking it over on the beach just below Exit Falls

Tyler and I waiting our turn to climb up the vertical crack inside the cave beside Exit Falls

Tyler inside the cave. Apparently someone discovered water here before ! (Photo by ? )

Tyler makes the climb look easy

me climbing up in the cave (not sure who took this one, sorry)

Looking down at the person behind me as they approach the climb

Top level of the first climb. There is another higher level to go to reach the tip top where there is another rope and very tricky descent to get down to the top edge of the falls. My camera lens stayed fogged up the whole time I was in this cave.

Once I reached the top level, I discovered Badger`s secret route to the puckering perch he used to get the side shots of Tyler and I when we swam over to the falls. This is a very sketchy and very vertical descent down to a very small and slick puckering perch beside the falls and still high above the splash pool. Getting down to it and back requires badassery skills.

Tyler excited over seeing the climbers coming down out of the slot canyon and preparing to go down the falls as he helped others down the sketchy descent so they could join us at the top of the falls

My first view looking down from the top of Exit Falls

View of the HUGE splash pool and beach as seen from the top of Exit Falls

Looking into the lower end of the slot canyon from the top of the falls you could see the rope that was rigged up for the rappel down the falls

Looking into the lower end of the slot canyon. We would have to climb that steep rock spire on the left in order to get a good view of the Little Canyon falls but, first there was swimming to do !

Just when we thought it could not get any better, we noticed a bright orange rope floating in the center of the river and over the top of the falls. Further investigation revealed that it was tied to the roots of a large log that was sunken upside down in the splash pool of the Little Canyon Falls. about that time, three guys came down the slot diving off the falls and proceeded to rappel down Exit Falls one at a time ! This was quite a show which I did my best to capture with pics. The cool part was when they climbed back up the face of the falls (using ascenders) !

Meeting the climbers, the owners of the nice orange rope at the top of the falls !

Rappelling the falls !

These guys made it look easy but, I am guessing if your footing slipped you could face plant and break your teeth off at the gum !!!

Rappelling the falls

I am sure getting off the rope at the bottom is a tricky part too !

Almost there !

Once you unhook, you are going into the water !!

The other two watch their buddy as they anxiously await their turn on the rope

Off rope ! Now he has to make the long swim to the beach !

I noticed he stopped swimming for something plastic that was floating in the water. Come to find out it was something important in a ziplock baggie, that had fallen out of one in our groups packs which he brought back up to them ! Yep, nice guy !

Retrieving the lost object

Swimming one handed with the lost object in one hand !

next one up !

Second guy makes it look easy too

Almost down !

Going, going,,,,,

Gone !

off rope and swimming the pool

Me atop Exit Falls while the rappelling was happening (Photo by ? )

Third and last guy clips in to begin his descent of the falls

Rappelling the falls

Again, making it look easy

he found the only slightly level spot to stand on before his final descent into the pool

Forward facing rappel !

Checking out the splash pool in style !

Swimming the huge pool to join the others on the beach

While the first two went around the long way using the woods trail back to Entrance Falls to come down the slot canyon again, this guy climbed back up the falls using ascenders !!

Watching him climb back up the falls was impressive !

Tyler and I wasted no time in hitting the water and were soon joined by the Badger while the others climbed to a sketchy puckering perch high above the falls where they photographed our synchronized swimming display.

Following the Badger`s lead into the slot canyon to reach the pool beneath Little Canyon Falls

The Professor was already in the pool !

The Badger and me in the slot canyon swimming in the splash pool of Little Canyon Falls (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Synchronized swimming by Badger and I, against the super strong hydraulics of the Little Canyon falls (Not sure who took this photo but, will edit if I find out)

Synchronized swimming by RAT and Badger (Photo by ? )

Synchronized swimming by RAT and Badger (photo by ? )

Trying to overcome the power of the current to reach the base of Little Canyon Falls (Photo by ? )

A RAT gnome posing at Little Canyon Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

I would eventually have to climb up to the high perch myself to join the Gnome and get some pics of the Little Canyon Falls. This was a difficult climb and even harder coming back down but, worth all the risk. I only wish I had put forth the effort to drag my larger camera up there. I was just too afraid to get it out in this area as I was soaking wet and the lighting was too bright for its limited capabilities.

By the time I got through swimming and climbed to the high puckering perch above the pool and falls to join the Gnome there, the three climbers had made their way back down the slot canyon. I missed getting pics of them jumping off the falls into the pool !

Little Canyon Falls

Little Canyon Falls. getting to this puckering perch is very tricky and getting down is even sketchier !

Little Canyon Falls

Little Canyon Falls (I regret not taking my larger camera out at these falls but the sun was bright and i was wet from all the swimming, i just decided against it)

Little Canyon Falls. I was happy with this pocket cam shot considering the light and my fogged up lens !

Little Canyon Falls

We all climbed back up the rope where some of us would follow a high trail that Tyler and I found that would lead us back to the main woods trail above. This eliminated having to go back down through the cave and back up all those ropes we had came down previously or continuing down the primitive trail beside the river. (hindsight revealed that the latter would have been the easiest route !) Once most of us made it back to the woods trail (now again high above the river), we continued downstream to try and get in one more waterfall before the days end. This is where the only confusion of the day would occur as some of the group did go back down through the cave and followed the river and the rest of us (upon Badger’s always accurate advice) would follow his gps in the maze of old log roads and woods trails. We ended up taking a wrong turn a little too soon and ended up in a bushwhack which led us pretty much back to the sandy beach of Exit Falls where we would end up following the river down to the next falls anyway ! This is pretty much a typical ritual on any Badger hike and I have came to expect it as part of the overall ‘epicity experience’ ! In his defense, we did find the right trail that we would use on the return trip ! Once we were back on the river it did not take long to reach the next and last falls of the day, ‘Bedrock Betty Falls’.

Looking across Bedrock Betty Falls

Part of Bedrock Betty Falls. You can see Everette getting some shots from the other side.

A small part of Bedrock Betty Falls

Bedrock Betty Falls

Yours truly doing a Hillbilly Baptism at Bedrock Betty Falls (Photo by Cathy Anderson ?)

Yours truly doing a Hillbilly Baptism at Bedrock Betty Falls (Photo by Chris Berrier)

Me doing a Hillbilly Baptism at Bedrock Betty falls (Photo by Cathy Anderson )

Me giving thanks to the falls (Bedrock Betty Falls) (Photo by Chris Berrier)

We spent a lot of time here at these unique falls taking time to get what pics we could. Tyler and I again took to the water to swim over to and get behind these falls which made for some really nice Hillbilly Baptism shots. I appreciate everyone who took them and shared with me. There are more falls downstream including eventually the main event, the 800 + foot high Whitewater Falls that I thought we were going to but, there was no time left in this day to accomplish that. That just gives me a good excuse to come back and pick up where I left off on another day. I was completely satisfied with the days accomplishments as we began the return hike back to the vehicles and was already thinking about the post hike grub and the next adventure to come. We even passed by an old school bus where some funny photo ops were had.