The Stuart Fork Trinity River. This hike was on my list but not at the top of my list. Nonetheless, I think I smashed it. Three awesome waterfalls. I took my vacation earlier than usual, in April this year because of the lack of snow. I was planning to go to Yosemite but the April storms changed all that. Lingering snow showers in Yosemite were in the forecast. For the north, however, the weather looked a lot better. And it worked out well because my wife and Journey would be up north as well.
I did not take Journey for this first trip (I had a second one planned for which I did take her). The reason is because this is a low elevation hike and I had read there are many rattlesnakes in this area. I am freaked out about taking Journey to places where there is a high possibility of rattlesnakes. I did not see any, however. Only one little garter snake. It would’ve been a hard hike for her anyway.
I arrived at the Stuart Fork trailhead and started my hike. I would be hiking 8 miles to Morris Meadow on the first day. I only saw one other couple the entire trip. They were on their way back down from Morris Meadow. The lady did give me one good tip about the bridge at Deer Creek which is a little bit hard to see, and I noticed that they also picked up some trash (which I was planning to get on the way back). So kudos to them whoever they are.
I found a beautiful spot by the river for camp. I made my dinner and hung out for a while. In the evening I started getting ready to go to the waterfall. A couple deer came into my camp. They were very friendly and not afraid of me whatsoever. One of them came right up to within 2 feet of me. Not joking. These were not just some random friendly deer. They were a scouting party. Send in your two nicest and friendliest members to scout the location before the invasion. But more on that later. I left them to wander around my camp and started for the waterfall.
Initially, I had absolutely no intention about getting to this waterfall. Up close that is. I was just going to find a place to photograph it from a long distance away because I was certain that the Stuart Fork would be uncrossable. In most places it was but there was one spot near my camp that was easily crossable. What the heck, I may as well try this one after all. At first, the going was very easy. I was optimistic. However, the closer I got to the creek the more brushy it became. It was now a full on bushwhack. I was worried about snakes. This is the exact type of terrain they love to be in. I thought I should turn back but now I could see the waterfall up ahead through the trees. It was still a long way away. But I had to keep going. Finally, I made it to the bottom of the waterfall. Absolutely spectacular!
Bear Gulch Falls is 139 feet high. A stunning cascade. I spent some time here at the bottom of the falls, enjoying the view and taking photographs. It is a perfect viewpoint, nice and open and beautiful. I was so happy. There are upper waterfalls but they are far up the mountain and it is impossible to reach them. I went back down, hoping not to a step on any snakes. The deer were gone when I got back to camp (for now). I went to bed. Day one is over. Day two is about to begin.
