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Kirk and Mike. |
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The orange sun shining through the enveloping haze heralded not just another hot and humid July day -- this one going to be a real scorcher.. After several long days of paddling, Mike and I were ready for a different form of recreation before we headed home. We had spotted something interesting on the map... a series of waterfalls on the North branch of the Pike River, all within hiking distance. So, we decided to stretch our legs today, with an opportunity to soak in this small trout stream that no doubt would pool under at least one of the falls.
Our starting point for this hike was 12 Foot Falls County Park, which is reached by following a series of paved and then dirt roads from HWY 141, North of Amberg. We had no trouble followng the well placed park signs. A $2.00 admission fee per vehicle is required to use this charming little park. There are ten or twelve camping spots near the river, none of which were occupied on this July weekday. A grassy verge separates the parking lot from the sandy pool below the falls, inviting a swim.
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A short hike on a marked but rough trail took us to 8 Foot Falls, which forms a lovely pool in the narrrow river. After exploring the two falls in the park, we were ready for a hike to 18 Foot Falls. We started out following the fishing trail on the South bank, but it soon petered out and we followed a deer trail until that, too ended in thick brush. Determined to reach 18 Foot Falls, we elected to hike upstream IN the stream. It was well past noon by this time, and the cool water felt great. The water never got above crotch deep, so slogging upstream, while a good workout, wasn't nearly as arduous as bushwacking along the bank would have been. We had to "portage" around a few fallen trees by climbing onshore, but we made good progress.
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The falls were a little farther than we had expected them to be, but soon small flecks of foam on the water indicated that we were getting closer. A high granite ridge appeared above the river on the South bank. Soon we could hear the falls, and just downstram from a small riffle we left the river and followed a trail to the falls on the left bank. A scramble up the granite ridge connected us to a trail that was obviously used to access the falls.
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