Monday, July 21, 2014

Devil's Hole and Brother's Hole

The weekend weather was gorgeous - a perfect excuse for getting the hiking boots on and taking some classic Frost Valley hikes. First up was the easy walk along stately Biscuit Creek. We walk along Biscuit (full to the edges because of the recent rains) on the southeast side of the river, to Brother's Hole, then cross the cable bridge and finish the hike to Devil's Hole on the northwest side of the river. Brother's Hole (which used to be called "the Devil's Hole campsite") has an open area just above the lesser falls (lesser than Devil's Hole a little further upstream). In that open area, during my days as a camper and counselor, there was a lean-to and an elaborate firepit and sleeping area. The lean-to is gone and we hope to build a new one there soon.

When we arrived at Devil's Hole we were delighted to see that a group of Forest campers and counselors were there. Charlie the AiT Coordinator, who is a real avatar of hiking and camping here, had lured them out there with a promise that he would cook some griddle-cakes and add FV's maple syrup to each cake. We found part of the group surrounding Charlie as he cooked over a gas stove, not 8 feet from the beautiful flume. The other part of the group was wandering along the stream well above the falls, with their counselors. It was an ideal afternoon for them. The weather was perfect and the outing was relaxed. The water tumbling over the waterfall created a cold mist that happily covered us all. And the noise was constantly loud - that noisy rushing water!

A view of Sequoia (home of Adventure Village) from across the creek. Sequoia is located on a kind of peninsula formed by the convergence of Pigeon Brook and Biscuit Creek. You can see the communal yurt (also a staff lounge) and at least one of the platform tents, and to the left you can see the back of the cooking pavilion.

Another view of Sequoia from across the creek.



Brother's Hole.




The famous flume forming Devil's Hole. The hole itself is some 22 feet deep and COLD!


Devil's Hole flume. The water doesn't flow much faster than this (we've had a lot of rain).

 
Brother's Hole.