Hidden Dome Falls

Friday, we headed out to the mountains without the dog to get some difficult waterfalls.  Leaving early, we arrived at Brewer Road to access Thompson River at around 930.  We started off hiking down the gated Forest Road 87 that runs along the river.  In about a mile, the road crossed the river and with recent rains, the water level was up quite a bit and the river was really flowing.  The crossing was tricky but we made it across safely.

I don't think it would be passable if it was any higher.  In another mile or so, a very overgrown road split to the right and followed an unnamed tributary upstream.  It was so overgrown, we had to belly-crawl through several areas of dense rhododendron.  After about a quarter-mile, the road crossed another tributary and we started following it upstream.  This part was even more overgrown and there was no old road to follow.  Eventually, we realized it was easier to get a little further up and above the rhododendrons and follow the tributary upstream.  Another unmarked tributary came in and we crossed and got in the little island in between the two.  At this point, we could see the waterfall, but there was no easy way to go except through more dense rhododendron.  Eventually, we made it to the base of Hidden Dome Falls.

With high water, it's a nice waterfall but the hike is brutal.

We hung out here and had lunch at the base.

It's hard to get a picture of the whole thing being so close, but viewing spots are limited.

On the way back, we stayed up above the creek on river left and found it somewhat easier than being to close to the creek.  It was good to get back to FR-87 and a clear trail.  Some little yellow violets were blooming along the trail.

Before we got back to the ford, we made a quick trip down to Simon Falls.  It's small, only about 20 feet, but rather scenic and one of the easier ones to reach on Thompson.

After that, we crossed Thompson again and made the hike back to the car.

We stopped at the food truck at Forks of the River Taproom for dinner then drove to Waynesville to stay at the Waynesville Inn and Golf Club.