RATtreks

Pete`s Branch Falls – 4-25-2017

Perusing over the list of waterfalls that my son Tyler has not yet been to, focusing more on the ones closest to us, I noticed that Pete`s Branch Falls was on that list. I was also aware that it had been well over 20 + years since I had visited there myself. That being said and with the recent purchase of a Jeep, it was decided that would be our next destination. Located within the Horse Creek area it did not take us long to get there and the numerous creek crossings and extremely rough terrain would be a good test for the Jeep. Taking our time not wanting to tear nothing up on an unfamiliar vehicle, we had no issues going in and were soon at the turn off to the trail head. A few mud holes later and we reached the end of the road and were on our way to the falls.

Pete`s Branch Falls

It was a cool, foggy morning and I hoped the light would hold out for us to get some decent pics. After the first main creek crossing, it was a very pleasant hike up the side trail to the falls. It was obvious that it has been well traveled regularly since my last visit there some 25+ years ago. The water flow was very good and the light held out for us the entire time we were there. I started taking pics with my larger camera before I even reached the base of the main falls ! Pete’s Branch is a double falls when the water levels are good that is listed at 45 feet high but, as I recall my friend Dave Aldridge measured it with his hypsometer (laser) and it was a bit higher. The cliffs on each side are large and impressive. I had forgotten just how really nice this entire area really is.

A small falls along Pete`s Branch

Pete`s Branch Falls

After getting what pics I could around the base of the falls, I climbed up the right side (creek left) to get some from that angle. If you climb high enough you can also see the upper falls. Many that visit these falls never see them as they are unaware that they are even there. That might be a good thing as climbing the steep terrain to get up to them, as well as being on top of the main falls does increase the hazard level of being there.

Side angle of the main falls. You can see how small Tyler is in relation to the falls !

Side angle with Tyler for scale.

Side view with the left side cliffs and Tyler for scale.

Pete`s Branch Falls (side view)

Making my way farther up the right side cliffs

Huge growth on a tree near the top of the cliffs

The growth tree is a big one and obviously been here a long time.

View of the falls from high up by the right side cliffs. You can start to see the upper falls from this perch.

Zoomed view of the Upper Falls

Up close and personal with this very huge tree with a growth on it !

View of the falls lower and upper from high on the right side cliffs

Tyler at the base of Pete`s Branch falls with lots of water spray on my lens !

Group shot at the base of the falls (lens still covered in spray !)

Looking back as we proceed to the top of the falls

Wide angle view of the falls

I think the light was almost perfect at this point

After getting a lot of pics from both sides of the main falls, we did climb up to the top and then on to the base of the upper falls and beyond. They were very nice on this day as the fog was closing in around the top of them. There is also a small double falls on a feeder branch just over from the upper falls which helps to create the twin flows of the main falls. It was like seeing an old friend again after so many years to be there and relive memories of the past. Tyler was impressed with this entire area as well.

Tyler at the top edge of Pete`s Branch falls

Upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Tyler taking pics at the top of the upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Tyler at the top of the upper falls adds some sense of size to these beautiful falls

Upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Upper Pete`s Branch Falls in the fog

Upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Tyler at the top of Upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Upper falls in foggy conditions

Upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Upper falls, trying to work with the light on the leaves etc

The other Upper Pete`s Branch Falls that sits parallel to the first one.

The other upper falls

The other upper falls. These are barely a trickle in the dry season.

View from the ‘other’ upper falls looking back towards the main upper falls

Standing at the other upper falls you can see the top of main upper falls in this picture. A steep slick climb is required to get here from there.

Upper side view of the upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Side view of the upper Pete`s Branch falls. Tyler is seen at the base.

Side view from just above the top of the upper falls

side view of the base of the upper Pete`s Branch Falls

Up close side view of the upper falls

Looking towards the top of the upper falls from a side angle

Side view of the main upper falls. You can see Tyler at the base as he makes his way to join me at the top.

Side view of the main upper falls

Tyler at the base of the upper falls

Group shot at the upper falls

After a thorough exploration of the upper falls area we climbed back down and made our way back to the trail head. It was still early and I decided we needed some more exercise so, we hiked for a mile or so up the Sarvis Cove Trail to see another small falls up there. By then the sun had burned through the clouds but, it did not matter as I was just looking to burn some more calories and spend some more time in nature in a place I had not been to in several years.

Coming down from the top of the main falls

Distant view of Pete`s Branch Falls as we come down from the top

Looking back at Pete`s Branch Falls as we say goodbye

My last shot of the falls before departing

A Sweet White Trillium along the Pete`s Branch Falls trail

Early Fiddlehead ferns along the trail

There were lots of early wildflowers coming up along the trail

More wildflowers along the trail

Making our way down a beautiful green part of the Pete`s Branch Falls Trail

Small falls along Pete`s Branch

I could not resist getting out my larger camera for these cute little falls along Pete`s Branch on the way out.

Another take of the same small falls along Pete`s Branch

Yes I was having fun shooting this small drop !

About the best i could do with these,,,

Pete`s Branch

Small cascading falls on Sarvis Cove creek

Sarvis Cove creek

Cascading falls along Sarvis Cove creek

Driving across one of the many crossings of Horse Creek on our way out.

Looking back at one of the crossings. You can see why a high clearance vehicle is needed.

The hike back down the mountain to the Jeep was much quicker and uneventful. The sun was now out and shining brightly with blue skies. The Jeep did fine on the way back out the very rough road and it had been another wonderful day in the RAT`s neighborhood checking one more falls off Tyler`s long list. Until next time,,,

Posted on 30 January '18 by RAT, under RATtreks.

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Pete`s Branch Falls – 4-25-2017

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