Write-up by Nancy Coleman
As far as I know this is the first time the Tramps have done this hike. It starts from the same trailhead as Wilcox Lake. It was a cold day and we started out because people were getting cold standing around.
After signing in we hiked about .2 miles to the right hand turn. It was such a short distance; I didn’t stop to see if everyone was with us, a big mistake. Eight of the nineteen hikers had fallen behind and didn’t make the turn. They caught up with us at lunch. I learned that the rule, “Always wait when there is a choice of paths.”, is very important.
The hike starts out following Stoney Creek. The right hand turn is where Tenant Creek empties into Stoney. We don’t go over the bridge. We must cross over private property.
It was quite icy that day. Everyone was warned to wear Micro-Spikes or Yak Traks and everyone was prepared. With them, it was a wonderful hike. Without them it would have been dangerous and horrific.
About a mile after the turn we get to our first waterfall. There is a beautiful pool below the falls that would be wonderful for a swim on a hot summer day. We continued always following the picturesque creek to Tenant Falls. Here there are 3 falls with a swimming pool beneath each. This is where we ate lunch and regrouped.
From the third falls we took a sharp right bushwhacking up a steep hill. At the top of the hill is the jeep road. We turn right on that and continue for about 2 miles to the dirt road. It is a 1.5 mile hike along the dirt road which follows Stoney Creek to the trail head.
We saw hunters, so it is important to wear blaze orange in hunting season.
Everyone on the hike agreed we need to return on a hot day.