Sunday, June 17, 2018
The blooms of the yucca at the visitors center are gorgeous!...
Monday, June 18
We decided to go back to Cat Gap Loop and hike the entire loop. This time we hiked the loop counter clockwise...
We walked around the gate, down the gravel and over a bridge to the trail head...
 |
| view from the bridge |
 |
| we'll follow the orange blazes on the trail |
 |
| off we go. we began to climb immediately |
 |
| another bridge |
 |
| checking the GPS for elevation |
 |
| hmmm...is this the trail to Cedar Rock Falls? |
 |
| taking a break prior to descending the steep trail to the falls |
 |
| we walked out of the woods and found Cedar Rock Falls!! |
 |
| Coop wasn't keen on this waterfall. he hung back and watched us from a distance |
 |
| Cedar Rock Falls is a small (only 20 feet high) waterfall |
 |
| Coop refused to go to the bottom of the falls |
 |
| back up the trail we go. we continued climbing |
 |
| it is a beautiful trail |
 |
| steep and rooty in places |
 |
| and rocky. did I mention the trail is rocky! Cooper waiting for us |
 |
we arrived at another stream crossing. Ron filled Coop's water container.
we walked across the bridge; Coop wasn't having any of it... |
 |
he swam through the rapids. I held on to his leash and coaxed him along.
he did great. Ron and I were nervous!! |
 |
| taking a break while Ron filled his water container |
 |
| it was a very pretty stream |
 |
soon after the stream crossing, we came out of the forest and into
an area of pine trees |
 |
| the trail then led us out of the pines |
 |
to another water crossing. no bridge this time! good thing we had our
hiking boots on! |
 |
we made it to the bypass. we've a half mile to go before we begin to hike
downhill |
Finally, we made it to the junction of Cat Gap Loop and John Rock...
We decided to stop here and have lunch. The day was hot and humid. As we were eating, clouds began to move in... thankfully, it's all down hill from here...
 |
| beginning to thunder... |
 |
| we're still a mile out...here comes the rain!! |
 |
| raining fairly hard... |
 |
| not a lake; it's the trail!! |
 |
| almost back...walking along the Davidson River |
 |
| final stretch to the parking lot |
This was a great hike and a great adventure. Rain and all!!
Friday, June 22
Happy Anniversary to us!
Look what we found on our way home from work...
Saturday, June 30
We drove over to the Nantahala National Forest (abuts part of the Pisgah District) for a short hike to Dill Falls. As it turned out, this was Cooper's final hike...
 |
| yes, Coop, this is the road to the falls |
 |
| heading down the trail |
 |
| we all had to duck under this tree |
 |
| Dill Falls. a tall, (60 feet high) narrow cascading fall |
 |
| Coop loved playing in the water |
 |
| enjoying a stick |
 |
| no, that's not a bear. it's Coop!! |
 |
| almost back |
Another fun day and a great waterfall!
We miss our sweet boy. He was the best companion and loved hiking with us. Cooper had a great life and didn't suffer. For that we are very grateful.
Dawn and Ron
