How might we cross???
Today's PHOC hike in Linville Gorge is led by Ben Harris. There are 19 of us. The plan is simple, hike down Devils Hole Trail, cross the river, hike upriver on Linville River Trail, find somewhere to cross back over the river, scramble up a rocky spire, drop back down to the river, scramble up Henson Creek and then catch some great views from the ridge before finishing. Ben has thought of everything, excitement, danger and lunch with a view.
Nurse Debby nimbly crosses
Ben leads us up from the road on an off trail short cut to Devils Hole trail, just to get things warmed up a bit. We make the descent on steep and rocky Devils Hole trail. At the bottom there is some confusion. Most folks do not attempt to cross the river here so the trail is not easy to follow. There are cairns in the river but they are of little use. You need to find the best way across and that is not readily apparent. We find a long piece of lumber and float it downriver to a point at which we can utilize it to cross a tricky spot. Kyle is absolutely catlike on the river rocks and bounds back and forth with ease. Ernest with his AT thru hiking experience is comfortable here as well. The rest of us sign onto the plan and make the crossing with their guidance. No major mishaps here, just some bumps and scrapes.
You are such a hot shot
This was an exciting crossing. We're all relieved to regroup on the other side, enjoy the scenery and roar of the river. It is just a short uphill climb to the Linville River Trail. There is a faint trail here leading up which indicates to me, this is not a river crossing often used. Current river flow is 62 cubic feet per second. Most of this spring and summer, this would have been a highly dangerous crossing.
We hike upriver along the river trail to a point, near a nice campsite, where some of our group has made previous crossings. Some of us rock hop upriver and some bushwhack riverside until we see a crossable spot. This crossing is deeper than the last but doesn't have the danger of swift water in tight channels that could really be problematic. I miscalculate my route across and end up having to be dragged up a rock by two companions. Of course I don't have photos of my ungracious river exit but I suspect some will surface on the PHOC website. Not only did I get skinned up getting pulled up the rock, I managed to get waist deep during the water crossing. Although, I had a full change of clothes, I never felt uncomfortable.
From this point we head straight up in very steep terrain with a moderate amount of greenbrier. I was 5th in line when Bill (third in line) yells out. The first two scramblers have just passed right by a coiled rattlesnake. Everyone wants to get a photo but I head up, my eyes fixed on the ground. I saw the snake and am stunned at how camouflaged it is.
We manage to make it to a wall, then follow a trail alongside it until there is a 40 foot crack in the wall. Now we scramble up a very steep slope to the rocky spire above, our lunch stop. We are on the rocky spire which is just across the river from Babel Tower and Avatar. From here we can see a campsite on Babel and fellow hikers enjoying the view about a quarter mile away. To join them would be a herculean task.
Hiking with Ben, assures me we'll always have lunch with a view. No restaurant can compete with this setting. I need the break, rest and refuel well.
After the lunch break, we're back scrambling down the crack in the wall we came up. Then we pick up a faint trail at the base of the wall and continue until we're at the mouth of Henson Creek. Another break is in order. Some of our group head to the river for some river karma, I scout up Henson a bit. Once we regroup, Ben reviews the "rules" of hiking Henson Creek. "Stay together."
A side channel of Henson Creek near the mouth
The water level of the creek is very low. We'll be able to stay in the creek bed for most of the ascent. There are some tricky spots including one which only 4 of us attempt before we advise the others to find another way. It required a spot which I refer to as a "leap of faith". You have to make a move which you hope will hold. Bill made it up unaided, He helped me through it. In turn I dragged Dina and Gary up. That was it. We told the others to find another route.
Henson Creek is a steep stream bed bordered by rock walls. Large, sharp, jagged rocks fill the course. There are lots of leg scrapes and bruises associated with this scramble. Finally, it looked like we had reached an insurmountable headwall. Somehow, there was a route through it and we were back on trail. Here is where I expended most of my day's energy. For whatever reason, I pushed and pushed myself along this trail and then the never ending Red Trail and the so called "rabbit trail". When that finally leveled out, I was still second in line but spent. I was so glad, our point, Matt decided to wait for the others.
While resting, I saw some Bottle gentian and took this photo. Linville Gorge offered up some great adventures today and finished off with this beautiful wildflower.
The last landmark we pass on our hike today is Sitting Bear, a rock spire formation. Pretty odd, huh?
No comments:
Post a Comment