Harper Creek
August 7-9, 2015
Map can be found
HERE
Day 1 - 2.5 miles hiked with
533 ft up and
250 ft down of elevation change
Since I had been extolling the virtues of backpacking after completing my
first two trips, my son Wilson decided that it was time he went with me. I pieced together a kit for him from things I already had
and a hammock from Amazon and shoved it into a book bag for him to carry his
clothes and sleeping gear. I put the remainder of our stuff in my new
Zpacks Arc Blast and waited for him to finish his first week of middle
school soccer practice. Setting out from school shortly after noon, we
drove up to the Harper Creek trailhead in the Wilson Creek Wilderness area
grabbing a quick lunch on the way. The plan is to hike up to Harper
Creek falls, swim a little while and then head on up the trail and find a
place to camp for the night. Getting a later start in the day we
didn't anticipate hiking too far today.
The newly minted backpacker, eager to begin.
A little rock scramble never hurt anyone. At least not on this trip.
Getting down to the falls takes a little rope work to manage the slick
rocks. There's also a rope down to the upper ledge of the falls
that's even longer. We elected not to attempt that.
Thoroughly enjoying himself. This is before we got into the
freezing water to swim! I knew I may have hooked him on the
experience when he tells me he can't believe how beautiful it is out
here. Like it shouldn't even exist it's so pretty.
Having worn ourselves out swimming and sliding at the falls, we decided
we'd better get back on the trail and get serious about finding a place to
camp. We wanted to get as far upstream as possible to make the next
days hiking to South Harper Creek Falls as manageable as possible.
Didn't get very far. Darkness comes a little quicker down in the
steep valley walls of the mountains so we found the first suitable place
upstream and set up camp. It does rain a little bit on us, 3 for 3
for my trips, so we don't build a campfire and just go to bed.
Wilson is proud of his first backpacking camp set up.
Please excuse the crappy lowlight iPhone picture.
Day 2 - 7 miles hiked with
535 ft up and
728 ft down of elevation change
After a good night's sleep and a quick breakfast, we pack up camp and
prepare for the day's hike. The plan is hike up to South Harper
creek falls and then loop around to Raider Camp Creek trail and make our
way back to Harper Creek trail, camping somewhere along the way.
However you know what they say about the best laid schemes of mice and
men; we were thwarted in our efforts by the unmarked trails of the Wilson
Creek Wilderness. When we reached the turn for where the Harper
Creek trail continues up to South Harper Falls we had a little trouble
finding the trail. Once assured that we were on the trail we
continue upstream. After a few hundred yards of the trail getting
more and more grown in and difficult to follow an executive decision is
made to scrap this plan and head up the much better defined North Harper
Creek trail towards Bard Falls, aka Hole in the Wall Falls.
There's always time to play in the creek.
Pointing out what might or might not be the trail.
Taking a break trying not to show my frustration at not being able to find
the trail we want.
The hole in the wall at Bard Falls.
Of course we did a little swimming here.
Since it's close to lunch time we dry off and have lunch by the falls on
the warm rocks. Wilson declares that canned deviled ham is not
something he ever wants to eat again. New lunch items will have to
be secured for future trips.
With our stomachs full I ask if we should try to continue on up to North
Harper Falls. Wilson says sure and we start up the trail. I
can tell pretty quickly that he isn't feeling the steeper narrower trail
above Bard Falls and I ask him if he'd rather just turn around and go
back to Harper Falls and slide down the waterfall some more. He
immediately agrees to this plan and we turn around to make our way back
down to the falls.
Tasting a Jolly Rancher Green Apple drink powder for the first time.
Two thumbs up.
Harper Creek Falls viewed from the trail above.
After another round of swimming we continue down the trail to find a
campsite for night two. Harper Creek is a very popular area during the
warm summer months and many of the campsites we come to below the falls are
already occupied. An attempt is made to find a site up the Raider Camp
Creek trail but after a quarter of a mile or so it looks as if the valley is
getting steeper and narrower so we turn around. Seeing the trail from
this angle as we backtrack, we find an excellent site at the intersection of
Raider Camp Creek and Harper Creek and set up here.
As I'm walking back from retrieving some water I notice a copperhead coiled
up next to another fire ring. After a quick startle I realize that it
is dead and someone has left it here as a prank. By the way please
don't kill them as they do serve a purpose in the ecosystem, as much as I'd
rather not ever run across one. Anyway, I calm myself and head back to
our camp. I have forgotten that Wilson is following some distance
behind until I hear a blood curdling scream. "SNAKE!!" He has
also found the same copperhead next to the trail that I did. Going
back to reassure him that it is dead, he then gives me a hard time about not
telling him that it was there.
After we recover from all of the excitement, we gather a little firewood and
build a fire since we didn't get to have one the night before. Some
quality time is spent hanging out by the fire and Wilson carves a knife out
of a stick. He decides a little while after dark to turn in to his
hammock and go to sleep. I sit by the fire a little longer and then
start to tidy up camp.
As I walk around camp I feel a sharp pain in my big toe. Have I just
found another snake while traipsing around in the dark? Nope, it's
Wilson's wooden knife he's left laying beside the fire pit. The meat
under my toenail has met up with the sharp pointy end of his creation.
I'll have to hand it to him, he did get it very sharp. A gauze pad and
some duct tape stems the bleeding and I head off to bed. Was this a
karmic payback for not telling him about the snake? Possibly.
Hanging out by the fire.
Day 3 - 1.2 miles hiked with
126 ft up and
220 ft down of elevation change
Rousing Wilson out of his hammock we begin gathering up our belongings for
the short hike back to the trailhead. He has slept 11 hours so I
guess sleeping outdoors agrees with him. Scarfing down a few Pop-Tarts we
pack up and hit the trail back to the Jeep.
Approximately hour 10 of 11.
We make the short hike back to the parking lot and start dreaming
about the delicious lunch we have earned. Wilson seems more than
pleased with his first experience backpacking and I have found another
adventure buddy. The Harper Creek area is a fantastic place to
take someone on their first trip and I highly recommend it. Just
make sure to have a good map and stick to well-defined trail.
One of the most important lessons learned from this trip and from
subsequent trips with Wilson and my nephews is it is important to have
a destination and interesting things to do and see along the
way. Children aren't as enamored with just walking in the woods
as an adult might be. Having a place to stop and swim is always
a bonus!
Til next time...
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