Wilson Creek Hike and Hang August 7-9

**wolf8895** · 08-15-2015, 15:58

Took my son on his first backpacking trip last weekend to the Wilson Creek area. We started at the parking area for the Harper Creek trail beside Wilson Creek, hiked up to the falls for a swim. Hiked about another half mile to our camp for Friday night beside beautiful Harper Creek. Saturday we hiked up N. Harper Creek to Bard Falls for lunch and a swim before hiking back down to Harper Creek falls for another swim since the sun was out. Another short hike took us to Raider Camp Creek for an enjoyable evening before heading back home Sunday morning. Only saw two copperheads, one live and one dead as far as wildlife goes. All in all a very enjoyable weekend.

Packed up and ready to go.

Scrambling down to the falls.

Harper Creek Falls

Bard aka Hole in the Wall Falls

Doing the Harper slide.

Wore him out. Slept from 9pm to 930am. He's a natural!

Saturday's beautiful rocky campsite.

Heading home!

**Dman62** · 08-15-2015, 16:34

Beautiful area. Looks like an awesome place for first backpacking trip!

**wolf8895** · 08-16-2015, 19:57

One of my favorite spots. He's already asking about going again.

**TallPaul** · 08-16-2015, 21:22

Sounds like a great first backpacking trip - swimming and hammocking.

**Caminante** · 08-17-2015, 07:26

Beautiful place. I have a buddy who has a cabin in Mortimer so I've been hanging there and day hiking, but I'll have to work in some overnighters on the trail. Great pictures.

**bobbycobbler** · 08-17-2015, 08:31

Looks like a killer hike. Jealous of that campsite

**wolf8895** · 08-17-2015, 08:55

I picked this spot specifically to get him hooked on it so I have more excuses to get out. Plus we started at the bottom of the creek and waked upstream so if he wanted to bail it was downhill back to the jeep. Also if anyone is interested the up and back on Harper/N Harper trails is relatively flat hiking.

**georgecarr** · 08-20-2015, 15:35

Looks like fun trip! Love the Harper slide.

**brianb** · 09-30-2015, 11:35

Originally Posted by wolf8895

I picked this spot specifically to get him hooked on it so I have more excuses to get out.

Hey Wolf, which parking area did you use? I just took the kids up and did the loop at Huntfish Falls, and had planned to do Harpers next but haven't been there in a number of years. Your trip report made up my mind so I've started planning the details. Thanks

**wolf8895** · 09-30-2015, 13:15

I parked at the lower end of the Harper Creek trail next to Wilson Creek. In the large parking area at the trail sign. 35°58'39.4"N 81°45'58.8"W should be the coordinates.

I did this specifically so we'd be closer to Harper Creek Falls for immediate swimming gratification and to make it mostly downhill if he wanted to bail early. It would have been bad enough to leave early but even worse to have to hear him complain about having to climb the ridge all the way out.