I'm not sure if anyone has missed these blog posts but I'm finally ready to write a new entry with plenty of material to choose from.

A sure sign a good time was going to be had.

The old road was once driveable and now is a beautiful trail that parallels Upper Creek.

Earlier this month, I took a vacation immediately following my birthday. I have always joked I won't live to see forty so turning 39 really put the pressure on me to do something ignorant right out of the gate. Cue Justin Hopkins. He has always volunteered to join me on some of my most foolhardy trips and after a chance encounter with him a while back we arranged a trip that both he and I agreed would live up to our standards.

Justin makes his way down to Upper Creek.

It gets steep in a hurry.

Raven Cliff Falls is a series of waterfalls that blast through a narrow stretch of Upper Creek that is hemmed in by towering cliffs. Justin has been working on Kevin Adams 500 waterfall challenge and being the sadistic person that he is, Kevin put Raven Cliff Falls on the list. I had actually hiked near Raven Cliff once before on a trip to see the waterfall on Burnthouse Branch. That trip was a memorable solo day that was highlighted by a nonstop deluge that made the trail a river. Our hike would follow that trail for a short distance before diving steeply down to meet the creek about .2 miles from the entrance of the canyon. We both agreed that hiking upstream was our best option and our goal would be to find the confluence of Burntouse Branch, bushwhack up to the base of the falls, and loop our way back to the truck. Piece of cake, right?

The hike starts out innocently enough actually following what was once a drivable portion of the old forest road. The weather was perfect for July with low humidity and clear skies. We both knew we needed dry rocks for some of the sketchier spots to continue upstream including a pool that has a cable strung above it on the side of the cliff, but we will talk more about that later.

Arrival on Upper Creek.

Upstream at the small white dot would be our first true test.

Justin was feeling good and set a hot pace even though he was wearing his trademark Wrangler jeans to hike in. We found several pairs of underwear hung on trees during the early portion of our hike giving us both a good laugh. Upper Creek was noisy and seemed to be above normal flows but it wasn't overly concerning since we had dedicated an entire day to complete the hike. Eventually the trail narrows and we began a steep climb up an old stream bed. Halfway up or at my best estimates, I noticed a faint path that dove nearly vertically from the main trail to meet the unseen creek below. I told Justin I thought that was our turn but we scouted a bit further up the trail just to make sure before backtracking to begin our descent. I stashed my hiking stick since I knew we would be by that way later, and started the slide down to the creek.

Justin just below the rock we ended up bushwhacking around.

Justin looking for the cable to get around this pool.

It was slow going but we leveled off at the creek to a few cascades and pools but nothing too daunting. I waded in and found the water to feel refreshing as the mid-morning sun was really beginning to heat up. I took off upstream trying to stay out of any deep spots until later in our day. I felt good and opened up a sizeable lead. I foolishly thought to myself that we would only need a few hours to finish it but that's when I saw my first obstacle. It wasn't the pool and cable that marks the "official" start but a vertical drop and a steep rock that has to be climbed to continue upstream. I tried hooking my foot on the rock but it slid off, the rock was worn smooth from years of water running across it's face. Justin soon joined me at the rock and we studied out options carefully including me hoisting him onto the rock and over. Thankfully we opted for a difficult but safer exit out of the creek and through the underbrush and deadfall around and over a small cliff that ran down to meet the creek.

On top of the entrance falls of Raven Cliff.

Looking upstream didn't look too promising.

I won't lie to you and say bushwhacking in the summer doesn't make me nervous. Aside from crawling in poison ivy, there's concerns for bee's nests, snakes, and ticks. I find myself in prayer during most of these scrambles. We popped out on top of the cascade scratched up but safe and just ahead was the pool and cable cliff we had heard so much about. The story is someone strung a cable along the cliff many years ago to bypass a really tricky cascade that keeps the majority of folks from going any further upstream. Justin waded across the edge of the pool and jockied his way onto the narrow path that rises up to meet the cable. I waded into the pool and found it to be plenty deep for jumping after only a few steps. I decided that the cable wasn't the best option for me and I instead looked for a way up and over the first cliff on river right. Obviously there is a way around because I'm writing this but it isn't easy at all. There are just enough trees to snake your way up to a crack on the rock that allows you to get on top of the cliff, if you reach this point you're nearly 100ft vertical feet above Upper Creek. As hard as it is to climb, the back side of the cliff to descend back to the water is even more narrow and dangerous. I waited on top for Justin since he decided my route was better and we brainstormed how to get down. A slick rock face was the first trick to get by without picking up enough speed to tumble over the falls we worked so hard to get around. Justin went first staying really close to the cliff while I took an angled approach that looked the grade was a little better. Thankfully I picked the correct route because Justin found himself cut off by a vertical drop still about 30ft above the river. I honestly don't know how he climbed back up and over to where I was, it was some tense moments for both of us. When we mercifully slide down to the water, we were fully engaged with Raven Cliff Falls.

Justin is barely visible as he makes his way down the steep scramble path next to the cliff 

The steel cable is now down and looped around a rock jammed in the cliff face.

Justin helps illustrate the size of the falls. The rock behind him is site of the infamous "hurry up, fat ass" comment.

Rising high above us on was the stone behemoth of Raven Cliff with equally impressive cliffs on the side we had just descended. We stood on top of the first falls looking down at what we could have faced if we used the cable. The cable was really loose and no longer attached to a tree as mentioned in Kevin Adams book but instead looped over a boulder wedged in the crack of the cliff. Both Justin and I agreed we made the right choice in seeking an alternate route. The creek was level for all of about 10ft when we rounded a small dog leg and were greeted with another impressive falls. The water poured over s series of boulders with a freefall portion as well. I spotted a way up but I knew it would take both of us.

This rock was about the size of the house I lived in when I was a kid.

This was the best waterfall of the day around 70ft high.

Justin has just apologized for his moment of anxiety while hoisting me onto the rock.

In all the pictures I had seen of Raven Cliff the flow had been much lower so the most logical way for to continue was now a mini waterfall as well. I decided to go first and wedged my knee on a small flat area in the large boulder but kept slipping. I told Justin to hold my foot and I would push my way up to the top and then rope him up. Our plan worked to perfection even though it took longer and Justin had to motivate me with a, "hurry up, fat ass!" as his arms grew tired holding my weight as I wiggled up the rock. I got a good laugh out of it and I anchored in and threw down a rope to help pull him up. Once on top we rested momentarily and soaked in our surroundings. We now were two waterfalls in and the third waterfall behind us was spectacular. A nearly 70ft high portion of Upper Creek dropped over multiple ledges and around pot holes making our next obstacle course. Surprisingly it was easy to navigate even though a few drops had to be skirted at their very edge to avoid swimming. I took a lot of pictures during this time to help bring this blog entry to life for you all.

Raven Cliff as seen from one of the many drops climbing through the canyon.

Thumbs up for adventure.

Climbing higher on the multilevel falls.

At the top portion of the falls we chose to leave the creek again and found a mountain goat path around a tricky slope to rejoin the dry bedrock between falls. This last sentence was much more difficult than I make it sound, it took about 30+ minutes to negotiate this area. Our reward was a long climb alongside a tumbling cascade before entering a deep channel before another small falls. The rock beneath the surface was covered in green moss and we were able to use it's traction to walk on water. It was after this stretch that I saw the final waterfall of Raven Cliff Falls. It's another long slide into a picturesque pool. I tossed my pack and took my long awaited swim. Justin sat alongside the pool and nodded in approval of our adventure. I swam for a few minutes and joined him on the rocks. We both foolishly thought the difficult part of our day was behind us.

Near  rhr top of the 70ft falls you have to cross the creek at a bring of one of the drops.

Justin surveys our options.

We left the creek briefly to swing around the falls pictured with Justin and then followed this long cascade.

The cascade stretched up the creek a good distance.

The creek upstream of Raven Cliff still has some tricky territory including more waterfalls, deep pools, and a few hemlocks lodging the most logical way forward. It was slow going but after about an hour we reached the Burnthouse Branch confluence. Justin seemed relieved we would have a trail heading out but in classic Jason fashion I took us on a bushwhack to save time up the cliff next to the falls and got us in a tangle of scrub and dead pines. Eventually I sat down and told him a quote I had read, "I've never been lost only bewildered for weeks at a time." Justin, inbetween his labored breathing, said, "I'm gonna need you to stop being bewildered." About that same time his phone beeped, and then again, and again. We had service! I pulled my phone out and looked at my backcountry navigator to discover we were about 100ft above the main trail. I was able to drop us down a small valley to meet our long awaited trail.

Justin coming straight up the gut of Raven Cliff Falls.

Upper drop of Raven Cliff Falls and my personal swimming hole.

This little drop made a killer swimming hole.

Picture for proof.

I stumbled on to the flat surface thankful we had found our way to an actual trail and Justin was right behind me saying, "I still love you brother." There's something about a challenge that makes the hike even more special and Raven Cliff had it at every turn. I'm sure several people have hiked it solo but being able to have someone as determined as Justin sure made the day more enjoyable and safe. With that being said, I guess I need to go ahead and start planning my 40th birthday party. Until next time, happy trails!

Near the confluence of Burnthouse Branch.

Waterfall on Burnthouse Branch.