RATtreks

Painter Creek Falls – 3-15-2015

Next on ‘the list’ was Painter Creek Falls (200+ feet) as these also require permission to gain access across private property so they are not visited often. it also requires a tough hike off trail through some rough territory. On my last trip here it was cold and the falls were frozen so I did not get any good pics so I have been hoping to get back here since 2011. Another reason this trip was planned is because several friends have not ever been there and my friends Bol’Dar ,Dave Aldridge, and Lou, who were with me on my last trip did not get to see the South Branch Painter Creek Falls so I went through the proper channels to get permission and this trip came to fruition. Unfortunately Dave was unable to go on this day however, the following did attend this epic journey: Bol’Dar, John Forbes, Larry Jarret, Jeff Dean, Derrick Hamrick, and myself. After meeting at Hairnt-Quarters around 9am, we made it to the gated private property and were hiking before 10am.

Upper part of Painter Creek Falls

Going in this way the first half mile or so is across a magnificent piece of private property that is very well maintained and is complete with old homestead remnants and a new retreat style home. It is also very well protected with security cameras and motion sensors that are monitored 24/7 and for good reasons. Used to one could access this trail without permission but, in recent years some local youths vandalized the house and property and stole some items and since that time it has been gated and secured to keep those type of people out. I feel very fortunate that the man that owns the property does allow access to certain people from time to time and I hope this continues in the future as the only other ways to get into the US Forest Land behind the property requires very long and tough hikes that I am not sure I could do in one day now. I have the utmost respect for this man and his property and would never allow anything to happen there that would jeopardize my access being banned for any reason.

One of the many bridge and road crossings across the private property

Nice part of the trail across the maintained property

A little friend I almost stepped on

Looking back at the fine group I was leading into the wilderness !

The trail across the private property is very nice and you actually have a choice between an old road and a well maintained foot trail complete with many wooden bridges over the creek. Since my last trip here there have been wooden plaques added to the bridges naming each one after persons I must assume are family members, kids, grand kids etc. It is a very pleasant hike through some beautiful property although that does soon come to end at the forest service boundary where the trail disintegrates into the creek and it becomes mostly a bushwhack for the next mile and a half with at least a dozen or more creek crossing. It is overgrown in places with several downed trees yet on the other hand there are some short stretches where old trails and log roads still exist but, mostly it is an in your face, try and follow the path of least resistance type of hike.

John and Derrick crossing one of the many bridges within the private property

First creek crossing without a bridge ! (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Time to get wet ! No more bridges !

RAT leading the way through the path of least resistance (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Doing my best to lead the way on what was once a nice old log road (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

RAT fords the creek as he leads the way to the falls (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

I think these guys would follow me anywhere ! (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

There are a few large hollows that enter in on your left as you make your way up the main valley and during high water levels they will have ample water flowing out of them. These consist of the North Fork of Painter Creek, Hell Hollow, and Big Sugar Hollow. I hope to explore these valleys sometime in the future. The water levels were really high on this trip and I can only imagine how many other waterfalls must exist in each of these wilderness hollows.

Crossing one of the many blow downs on the way to the falls (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Derrick crossing one of the tributary creeks coming in from our left out of one of the side hollows

Crossing one of the main side streams (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Old barrel seen as we cross one of the side streams that enter into Painter Creek. I have seen many barrels and old glass quart jars in this valley, proof that moonshine was made here long ago

Small falls seen on one of the side streams. I am sure there are more farther up that side hollow esp during high water flow

Bol’Dar and Derrick at one of the many creek crossings

Making our way up the Painter Creek Valley (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

A good view of the terrain encountered on this adventure and yet another creek crossing up ahead (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Ninja log walkers (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

We slowly made our way up the main creek as I tried my best to remember the best way to go from my last trip here. I did not even try to keep my boots dry as I knew it would be a losing battle so I busted the first creek crossing without hesitation only to find it was over knee deep and a fairly strong current so you had to firmly plant your foot before taking the next step. John Forbes took pride in not getting his boots wet over the course of the first 6 creek crossings or so but, he too eventually lost the battle and found himself knee deep in the fast flowing water with the rest of us.

While the rest of splash through the water at the first few creek crossings, John Forbes goes upstream to find a way to rock hop across and not get wet !

John Forbes looks to see who is looking ! Of course we are all looking because we want the picture if he falls in !!

So far so good,,,,,,

halfway but that last step is gonna be a doozy !

John Forbes flying through the air as he successfully completes the crossing without getting his boots wet !

Crossing the swollen Painter Creek, John takes the high road attempting to keep his boots dry while I take the low road knowing the inevitable,, (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

By days end John Forbes would be knee deep in wetness along with the rest of us !

Derrick captures the moment

Yet another creek crossing where John Forbes attempts to cross without getting wet while Derricks awaits the splash !

It always amazes me how this short legged gnome can stretch so far between points !

Larry and John become tree huggers to show the enormous size of this Hemlock tree

Larry going 8 seconds on a Tauntaun name Fu Manchu !

Bol’Dar and Jeff Dean negotiating one of the many creek crossings while our resident photojournalist Derrick Hamrick captures the event

After a couple hours of strenuous off trail hiking I could soon see what I call ‘the split’ off in the distance. This is where the South Fork of Painter creek comes into the main creek which is where the base of Painter Creek Falls is. I was also keeping an eye to the sky to the right hand side of the creek for some cliffs that sit on the top of the high mountain ridges there which I have been watching for some time now. Having seen them from other high vantage points far away and also from satellite view, I was determined to find them to confirm their existence and exact location. I became rather ecstatic when I was able to see them.

Me doing the limbo move to get under a large grapevine (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

“Holy S**t !!! There`s the cliffs !!!! (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Look ! It`s a bird ! No, it`s a plane ! No, it`s some awesome cliffs I been looking for !!! (Photo by John Forbes)

Looking up at the awesome cliffs I have located (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

A bloody Derrick. There is no one that works harder to get the shot than this man !

Continuing up Painter Creek

Cool looking tree found along Painter Creek

From there it was not long before I seen the huge rocks that I knew sit near the base of the falls just before the split so I knew we were almost there. Once we seen the split and I pointed out the 200 feet high falls hiding in the laurels above us, everyone scattered in different directions towards the falls, each taking a different route, getting different pics like a group of kids being let out of school for recess ! The sun had already came out in full force so getting any fancy shots would be near impossible but, the high water levels were impressive although it did cause problems with water spots on the lenses.

First of the house sized rocks found near the base of the falls. There is a small falls hiding behind this one

Small falls hiding behind the huge flat rock

Huge rocks line the creek here and the split can be seen where the South Fork of Painter Creek (left) comes into the Main Painter Creek (right). The base of Painter Creek Falls starts at that right fork.

As soon as I pointed out where the main falls was at the split just ahead, Larry took off on his own route to reach them !

Larry Jarret was the first to reach the base of the main falls and wasted no time in setting up for pictures.

Everyone scrambling at the base of Painter Creek Falls ! (Photo by Derrick Hamrick) I love how this image shows the mist coming off the falls !

Everyone scrambling into their positions at the base of Painter Creek Falls !

Bol’Dar and I trying to find a shady spot for our camera lenses at the base of Painter Creek Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

Base of Painter Creek Falls

Base of Painter Creek Falls. There is almost 200 feet more hiding above this !

I pointed out the favorite picture taking angles as I made my way up the falls but, I was soon passed by John Forbes who shimmied up a huge fallen log in his excitement to climb higher and higher because, well, that`s just what he does ! I followed not far behind and within a few minutes I seen him straddling a house sized boulder that sits about half way up the falls where they make a sharp turn around it.

John Forbes in cat gear as he climbs up a large fallen log to make his way up these 200 ‘ tall falls

John climbing the fallen log, sequence shot

John Forbes climbs log sequence shot

John completes the log climb and now stands on the huge rock above this section of the falls.

This is John`s view from said perch above this section of the falls as I took once I climbed up there behind him

John straddling the HUGE rock that hides the falls

John posing atop the massive rock that hides part of the falls

Bol’Dar sets up for a shot while John straddles the enormous rock

The view John is seeing from atop the massive rock as I seen once I straddled it myself !

There really is no way to see or photograph these falls in their entirety due to the extreme height and the way they twist and turn as they fall down the mountain through the laurels in a series of continuous connected drops. All you can do is start at the bottom and photograph each section individually. These sections are so large that they make awesome falls on their own. I can assure you that it is one continuous falls. Once you get up to about the halfway point you can climb up to above the huge boulder to where you can see the top half of the falls and shoot it all in one shot. It is amazingly impressive however, on this day it would be near impossible to keep the spray and the sun off my lens but, I did the best I could and got a few usable shots. Starting off at the first main drop near the base, I worked my way up one section at a time,,,,

Part of Painter Creek Falls

John giving some scale to this one small part of Painter Creek Falls

Side view of that section as I desperately try to find some shade for my lens

Another side view as I climb higher and higher

Side view from higher vantage point

Continuing up the falls this is the next section,,,

Closer to the next section of Painter Creek Falls as I continue upwards,,,

Trying to use the bright sunlight,,,

Despite the intense sunlight, every part of these falls are awesome

Doing my best in terrible conditions

Keep in mind, this is a point and shoot with manual settings and not an SLR camera !!!

John and me enjoying one of the many drops along Painter Creek Falls – (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

I got this shot on my way back down from the top when the light had improved slightly

One cool little spot along the way up

The next section of the falls as I make my way up is this, you can see Jeff Dean in front of yet another extremely large rock that the falls make their way behind

Looking at the next section which is almost half way up, you begin to see a small part of the upper half of the falls as it hits another huge rock and turns on its way down

Did I mention there are some rather large trees along the way up ? Jeff is adding some scale to this shot,,

The sun was torturous

another shot trying to darken the sun,,,

Last one of this section, the upper half of the falls lies ahead just out of site above that huge rock,,

While I was shooting the upper half of the falls, I thought I seen something moving at the tip top. Closer inspection revealed the new bright orange shirt of John Forbes who was now sitting at the highest point of the falls ! Of course this is so high I had to zoom to even make him show up in the picture ! I noticed Bol’Dar was also missing and I assumed he must be up there as well ! The next few shots are a sequence of that event being captured:

As I was shooting this picture I noticed a tiny orange spot moving at the tip top of the falls. Can you see it ?

Zooming in closer it was still hard to see as this is still a long way up but, if you look close you can see a tinge of orange,,,

Zooming in more it was this shot that confirmed that I was not seeing things. It was John Forbes making his way to the edge of the top of the falls

Continuing to zoom even farther it was now obvious it was the orange shirt of the one and only John Forbes !

John at the top of the falls

John Forbes at the highest point of the falls at my maximum zoom length !

John`s view from the top of the falls ! If you look close you can see me standing way down below beside the big rock. (Photo by John Forbes)

John soon disappeared from sight and I assumed he and Bol’Dar were exploring beyond the top of the falls so I continued getting what shots I could of the upper half of the falls despite the bright sun and constant water spray spotting my camera lens:

Upper half of Painter Creek Falls

Upper half of Painter Creek Falls, perhaps one of my best shots this trip

Upper half of Painter Creek Falls

Larry soon caught up with me and we both agreed that we would make the insanely steep climb and join them at the top ! Climbing up the right side of the falls is not easy or safe by any standards and I can see now why some people who have came in from the top down via East Cassi Creek (also requires permission) were never able to get a picture of the falls as they were not able to climb down low enough and back to make it happen. There are numerous cliffs and rock ledges to climb up and around. Of course everyone in this group is used to this kind of extreme terrain and before long we would all be sitting right on the brink of the tip top of the 200+ foot high falls looking down them in total awe.

Approaching the top of the falls. Larry wasted no time in peering over its edge !

My first view would be over Larry`s head !

Top of the falls (well actually as in all falls, there is at least another 10 or 20 feet of falls above here that you can not see from the bottom anywhere)

Actual top of Painter Creek Falls that can not be seen from anywhere along the bottom

Looking down the falls from the top. This is only the top half of the falls as once it makes that turn and goes out of sight, it continues at least this much farther !

Standing on a very slick rock right on the brink of the falls, right beside the water as it was spraying on me. Exhilarating to say the least.

Looking down,,, the big rock at the turn looks so small from here,,,

Looking down,, the sun was not making it any easier to get good shots

The edge

Bol’Dar at the top of the falls as seen from John`s precarious location on the other side ! (Photo by John Forbes)

The narrow, slick edge I was just standing on !

Looking down from the top of the falls over my wet boots !

Zooming some to show the big rock below where I was previously standing earlier !

My perch at the top of Painter Creek Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

Most of the crew hanging out at the top of the falls. Derrick had not yet made it but, we could hear him making his way up below us

This captures the top of the falls and the two ledges I was just standing on well !

A happy me, standing on the brink at the top of Painter Creek Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

Me getting mighty close to the edge on an extremely slick rock at the top of Painter Creek Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

Me at the top of Painter Creek Falls – you can see how vertical they drop off from here – (Photo by John Forbes)

I love this view from the top of the falls as you can see two prominent peaks of Sampson Mountain off in the distance

We spent quite a bit of time there as it is a majestic place but, soon the desire to get down and go over to the South Fork falls would overcome us so we began our descent. Going down John Forbes and I began a riskier route closer to the side of the falls following a series of cliffs going over and under cliff ledges where we would stop at each one to get intimate with the falls and hopefully gain some unique side shots of the falls. This was the most fun I have ever had at these falls and the views from these various cliff ledges was breathtaking to say the least. It is extremely dangerous as there are no second chances anywhere here if you slip and it is a long way to the bottom to which I doubt you would want to survive. At each point we could literally reach out and touch the vertically falling water with our hands. After several photo sessions at various points we soon found ourselves back at the base of the falls. Here is a series of pics taken along this outstandingly steep and implausible descent:

First stop, standing on the first narrow ledge looking up at the cliff top above which is where we just were at the tip top of the falls

John leads the way along the narrow ledge just under the cliff at the tip top of the falls

John perched precariously on a very narrow ledge at the edge of the steep side of the falls. Here we are just under the tip top

Although there is about 10 more feet of falls above this, this is basically the tip top of the falls.

Side view of the falls near the top

Side view of top of falls

Looking up from the narrow cliff ledge we were on

Looking back I can see the others have decided to see what John and I are up to

Side view of the falls from beneath the first cliff ledge where I was perched

John and Larry getting shots of the top of the falls from our delicate position

Larry gets closer to the edge

Larry beside the top of the falls.

Sun rays illuminating the mist at the tip top of the falls

John beside the falls near the tip top

Another shot of John near the tip top of the falls

Sunlight at the tip top of the falls

The best sun star I could get with F stop limits of 8,,, tip top of falls,,

Top of falls

Looking down the falls from our lofty perch, thankful for once there are laurels !

Everyone except Bol’Dar at the cliff edge near the tip top of the falls. Bol’Dar was there briefly before stealthily disappearing down to the base of the falls

Continuing down the maze of cliffs and ledges you can see John below me on the next ledge we would stop at

Going beneath the next cliff on our way down this parlous descent beside the falls. You can see here how vertical the upper half of the falls actually is

Looking close you can see me clinging tightly to a tree beside the falls behind Jeff Dean as he carefully makes his way down the side of the falls. This pic shows best how steep this is and how close to the falls we were on this descent (Photo by John Forbes)

Derrick getting some shots at an even lower point about halfway down our steep descent

Being this close to the side of the falls was unbelievable. The stick points the way to the bottom.

Another side view of the falls at an even lower vantage point on our way down

Looking back up at the falls as the sun shines through the spray

Looking back up at the top half of the falls, under slightly better light

Lower section of the upper half of the falls as I am almost back down to the big rock (one that sits highest on the falls)

Perhaps my best shot of the day from back at the upper big rock. This is the upper half of the falls taken on our way back down from the top.

Or maybe this one ? I like both !

Finally back below the upper big rock that sits at the base of the upper half of the falls as I now make my way down the lower half

Another view of the falls and big rock on my way down,,

The falls twist and turn but never stop falling for over 200 feet (height not length)

From there I led the way over and above the split and into the South Fork of Painter Creek. There is no trail at all into this draw and one has to follow the creek as best you can. Bol’Dar was ahead of me and took the creek directly to the falls, uninterested in the cliffs at that time apparently. I always go up the right side as there was a hidden ninja trail there but, it has almost disappeared . There are more huge rocks and some small falls and cascades on this fork but, the main attraction (besides the falls) you will begin to see are some nice cliffs high above you on the right hand side. On my last trip here I did not have time to explore them much so, John Forbes and I headed up away from the creek to get to the highest cliff we could see to investigate. All I had to do was point up at them and say ‘cliffs’ and like a magnet to steel he was off like a bullet ! Along the way we found one of the largest Poplar trees I have ever seen. Closer inspection revealed it was completely hollow inside and we all took turns getting inside it for photo ops !

Me leading the way into the South Fork Painter Creek Valley (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Negotiating around some huge moss covered rocks and downed trees along the South Fork of Painter Creek

Nice small falls along the South Fork of Painter Creek

Nice small falls along South Fork of Painter Creek

Larry looking up at the cliffs and getting the first glimpse of the tall Poplar tree

Me climbing up towards the huge Poplar tree (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Pictures can not do justice to replicate the size of this behemoth Poplar tree. This mighty Ent has guarded this valley for easily over 100 years.

Downy Rattlesnake Plantain

Jeff Dean and I making our way through some tough going within the South Fork Painter Creek Valley (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

The huge Poplar tree made a perfect Gnome Home ! (John Forbes feeling right at home)

John cheesing it up for the cameras

John took this shameless selfie from the lower side of the hollow Poplar tree (photo by John Forbes)

Larry Jarret taking his turn in the hollow tree

Close up of Larry giving some scale to this hollow Poplar tree

Derrick making the tree look a wee bit smaller !

Derrick seems happy to be in the tree !

I take my place within the large hollow tree (Photo by John Forbes)

There was plenty of room for a fat RAT inside the hollow Poplar tree (Photo by John Forbes)

Looking up from inside the hollow Poplar tree (photo by John Forbes)

Me and John climbing up the steep hill to the cliffs from the old poplar tree (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Another awesome capture of our steep climb up to the cliffs taken by photojournalist Derrick Hamrick

Looking back down at the Poplar tree from high above as we make our way up to the highest level of cliffs

Looking across the ravine tot he cliffs on the opposite side of the creek. These also lead down to the South Fork Painter Creek Falls

From there Derrick joined up with John and myself as we continued climbing to the highest cliff where we made our way along the base of them to the other cliffs that continue across the ridge and down to the falls. These rock formations were some of the most interesting I have seen lately as their stacked strata were most impressive. There were cave-like rooms beneath them where many parts had fallen out and large vines growing up the sides reaching all the way to the top of these surprisingly high cliffs.

Looking up at the cliff tops high above us

We have made it to the first and highest cliff

Our view looking up. We will climb along its base

Looking towards the other cliffs ahead

John finds the first of many Gnome homes which he feels right at home inside

Looking up at the vines and overhanging rocks above us

Looking up

Making our way along the steep base of the first and highest cliff

Derrick and John negotiate the steep slope that lead up to the many cliffs here

Unique rock formations of the cliffs

John climbing up to the largest of the rock shelter openings along the bottom of the highest cliff. This one was rather big and we would all soon be standing within its confines

Derrick and John have made it to this large rock shelter and are awaiting my arrival

Looking up I was always fascinated by the various arrangement of different sized rocks stacked like an over sized Jenga game

John and Derrick standing within the huge rock shelter high up on the cliffs

The shot Derrick was taking of me in the previous picture ! (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Me standing in the largest rock shelter at the base of the highest cliffs (Photo by John Forbes)

John clutches to a vine to keep from falling down the steep slope as he makes his way over to the next cliff

Profile view from the rock shelter with the large Poplar tree in sight looking towards the North Fork of Painter Creek

Looking down from my perch in the rock shelter

We slowly made our way below all of these and then down towards the falls where Bol’Dar, Jeff and Larry were already there getting waterfall pics. The closer you get to the falls the larger and higher the cliffs get with the last one being monolithic in size and stature. John was literally in Heaven as we played around these magnificent rock towers that I had promised him would be on this epic journey. We eventually joined the others at the falls.

Continuing along the base of the cliffs making our way towards the falls

HUGE overhanging rocks above us

Here you can see the cliffs on the other side as they make their way towards the falls where the two cliffs are joined

You can see many of the large rocks have collapsed along the base of the cliffs. This is some support of my theory that this is possibly how talus fields are made.

John and Derrick making their way along the base of the cliffs

John pauses to look up at the massive overhanging rocks above him. The cliffs get higher as you get closer to the falls

This tree grew distorted as it tried to grow around the overhanging rock above it

Standing beneath the unique cliffs I must wonder how these rocks were formed the way they are stacked and why they are here and nowhere else in the valley.

Nearing one of the taller cliff sections looking up

Massive stack of rocks make up these cliffs

This large rock is sticking out and hanging by a thread pointing right at your face as you look up !

Looking back across one of the cliffs we had just traversed beneath

As we get closer to the falls, we are joined by Larry who pops up from that direction around the corner. Note: the light colored moss covered area to the lower right in this picture is NOT a rock !! It is a single tree root !!! (see pics to follow)

John Forbes shows how large this tree root is as it grows across the rocks !

Huge tree root

Base of tree where the root begins that sits at the base of the cliffs

View from the base of the large tree and its roots !

The tree with the large root seems to be eating the cliff rock as it grows upwards

Larry looks up at the mammoth sized cliffs

Old initial tree near the creek not far from the falls

As you can see the cliffs eventually make their way down to meet the South Fork Painter Creek Falls where we would join the rest of the group already there

John continues to marvel at the height of these impressive cliffs

John getting a pic of the falls with the side of the cliffs in it

Here you can see the cliffs coming in from both sides and how the creek has cut its way through them over the years

The height of these cliffs and the huge overhanging rocks above are impressive,,, as long as they don`t fall while you are under them !

These falls are not the largest nor the tallest yet, they are one of the nicest I have seen. This is due in part to the way the high rocky cliffs come down on both sides to form a tight V with the falls in the middle. They are most impressive and unlike their massive counterpart which is hard to even see or become a part of, these you can get your hands on and become intimate with, making them more enjoyable in my opinion. We spent a lot of time there as the light was slowly improving taking pics of the falls and surrounding cliffs. It is a serene place unseen by many due to its secluded and inaccessible location. It was not long before John disappeared over the top of the falls making his way to where I knew would be the top of the cliffs. Bol’Dar soon followed suit however, his destination would be to find more falls and cascades farther upstream.

The others checking out the South Fork Painter Creek Falls

Bol’Dar sets out to explore above the falls but first he must bridge this rock obstacle !

He made it look easy !

Bol’Dar makes his way beneath the cliffs to the top of the falls ,, and beyond

Until now the falls have appeared rather small, and they are to an extent but, here Bol’Dar adds some scale as he appears at the top of the falls

Bol’Dar makes his way across the top of the falls to get up the valley beyond them

South Fork Painter Creek Falls

The falls with a view of the cliffs on the right side

Falls with view of the left side cliffs

Looking up from the base of the falls on the left side

South Fork Painter Creek Falls

John sits near the top of the falls while Derrick does that thing he does

John hamming it up for the camera near the top of the falls

The light was improving so I kept getting pics of the falls while Derrick was making portraits of John !!

South Fork Painter Creek Falls

I needed better pics of these falls and decided to stay behind for that and to get pics of John on top of the cliffs so I will have to come back again later to explore the cliff tops and upstream for myself. By the time I got my waterfall shots I seen John in the sky above me sitting on the tip top of the cliff. He made his way across the entire length of the cliffs on the top of each one while we hung out at the base taking more pics. He would soon join us there for a group shot below the cliffs.

John Forbes in a puckering perch atop the right side cliffs near the falls

John high above us on the cliffs

John`s birds eye view of the South Fork Painter Creek Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

The complete and best view by far of the South Fork Painter Creek Falls (Photo by John Forbes)

Hanging out at the cliffs at the south fork falls

Getting ready for a group shot

The group shot beneath the cliffs at South Fork Painter Creek Falls

John sits high above us on the cliff top

Looking up at John as he makes his way across various points of the cliff tops

John`s view of us from his puckering perch atop the cliffs (Photo by John Forbes)

John looks small as he sits atop the high cliffs of the South Fork Painter Creek valley

Zooming in some I have to wonder is he knows just how much air is under him ?

John`s view from the top ! (Photo by John Forbes)

View of the cliffs beyond Bol’Dar. (find John)

Derrick Hamrick getting some shots from the cliffs. John is on top above,,

Derrick`s shot of us from his position on the cliffs (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Even Derrick looks small next to these cliffs !

Derrick below and John above on the cliffs of South Fork Painter Creek

Derrick looks up at the overhanging rocks while John sits high above on the far cliff top

John looks right at home as he sits on the high cliff top

John peering over the edge

Huge moss covered tree base near the entrance tot he South Fork Painter Creek valley

It was getting late afternoon by this time so we began the long journey back the way we had come. I did stop at the base of the main falls on the way out to get a couple shots of them under better light but, sadly did not have time to climb back up to the upper part.

Derrick and I getting some last minute shots at the base of Painter Creek Falls on our way out (Photo by John Forbes)

Lower part of Painter Creek Falls (note upper part in tree tops high above)

Lower part of Painter Creek Falls (note upper part in trees high above)

The split where South Fork enters into North Fork Painter Creek. You can see part of the upper half of the main falls in the tree tops

Lower drop of Painter Creek Falls – looking close you can see a small part of the upper half showing in the tree tops

Lower drop on Painter Creek Falls – you can see the upper part barely in the trees high above. This was probably my best pic of the day and as I took it I was wishing I had time to go back to the upper part of the falls

Making our way across the split and past the large rocks we slowly began the return trip only stopping to take a few pics of the smaller falls and cascades that we had passed on the way in when the light was too bright.

Making my way across and down the split at the base of Painter Creek Falls where the South Fork enters (Photo by John Forbes)

Ninja log walking at the split (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Looking out the Painter Creek Valley from just below the split across the large rocks as we begin the journey home

Derrick getting some shots just below the split as Bol’Dar makes his way down Painter Creek

Small falls and vine along Painter Creek

Small falls behind a huge rock along Painter Creek

Small falls along Painter Creek

I took several shots of this small drop along Painter creek

Is that a small skull rock I see ?

Small falls along Painter Creek

Small falls along Painter Creek (shot with handheld without tri-pod obviously !)

Derrick and me doing whatever it takes to get the shot ! (Photo by John Forbes)

I came across John and Derrick focused on something,,,, a cucumber ??

A mountain cucumber ?

A hillbilly pickle ?

I had never seen this type of fungi before

Closer inspection revealed it was decomposing wood

More fungus among us

Insects inside the fungus

Practicing my ninja log walking skills (Photo by Derrick Hamrick)

Crossing back over some large logs on the way out

Lots of these to be encountered before reaching the smooth trail of the private property

Creek from Hell Hollow enters into Painter Creek. I will explore that hollow one day soon,,,

Crossing the creek at the Hell Hollow Creek intersection while Derrick gets some action shots ! (Photo by John Forbes)

A wet weather spring coming out of an unnamed hollow

Back to the private property trail, John makes his way across one of the many named bridges

Bol’Dar travels lightly back through the ‘Enchanted Forest’

It is mainly downhill going back so it is easier and quicker and we soon found ourselves back at the private property with the developed trail and bridges there. We did make it back to the vehicles before dark which is always a plus. It had been an awesome day in the Sampson Mountain Wilderness with some good friends and a grand time was had by all most of which had been their first time there. There was an orange dream-sicle colored sunset on the way home to top off what had been a near perfect day in Nature. I was unable to attend the post-hike grub out as I had to get to work but, I was already looking forward to the next adventure. Until then,,,,,,

Painter Creek Falls – 3-15-2015

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