A day of waterfalls and “the story”. Everyone knows you “Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls” and after this day, I know why. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

It was my turn to search the internet for places to go today, I had read about Snow Creek Falls, up north of Sandpoint ID, so I followed the GPS and before you know it, we were on a dirt road going up the side of a mountain, but it got us to the right spot. Janice decided to wait in the car while Karen and I ventured into the woods following a clearly marked path. At this point I really had no idea how long the trail was but it wasn’t long until we were able to hear water in the distance.

Continuing on the trail we soon started going down a pretty steep slope, but the water was getting louder so I figured we were headed in the right direction. Soon we came to a wooden overlook and were treated to this sight.

I began to work the scene photographically, trying to get this beautiful sight from different angles. I loved how the beam of sunlight was filtering down through the trees and mist, highlighting the scene like a spotlight.

Unlike with the roadside waterfall earlier in the trip, this time I was prepared. I had carried my trusty tripod along with me on the trail since I knew what I was looking for this time. That allowed me to capture the standard “misty water” waterfall. Hey, everyone has to take the cliché shot occasionally when you get the chance.

While I was traipsing around next to the roaring river of snow-melt, Karen stayed up on the observation platform. I’ve always told her that if something ever happens to me while trying to get a shot, she had better get a shot of what happened to me. My hands are blurry because I was constantly putting them in front of the lens and removing them while taking shots to keep the water spray off.

As you can see from the above photo, that water was not messing around. The spring thaw was in full effect and the water was rushing down the mountain with much power! I had thought briefly about stepping into the water to get a cleaner shot of the fall, but eventually thought better of it.

After spending an adequate amount of time at the scene we headed back. But on our way I noticed a sign pointing to the “Lower Falls”! Double header!! I could tell from the sound that it couldn’t be very far from where we were so we headed down. Janice would understand.

Once we arrived I was in awe. I had thought that the upper falls were magnificent, but I think I liked the lower falls even more! Not as much of the sun beams, but the background glow and the green mossy rocks just made this scene.

Once more I was down at the water’s edge with my trusty tripod and this time there were some rocks out in the water. I was able to stand on them and here there were no naked tree branches or twigs in the way. Nice clean waterfall shot!

Now, with these two waterfalls under my belt, it was time to head back. I was pretty pleased with how this day had turned out.

We got back to the car and headed down the mountain. On the way down I noticed a guy standing next to his truck coming out of a gate next to the road. Remembering that I was on a dirt road I did the courteous thing and slowed way down so as to not cover him with dust. We waved as we passed.

When we got to the bottom of the mountain the road crossed over Snow Creek and I wanted to get a quick shot of the scene. I was instructed by the two women-folk in the vehicle to hurry because they had “needs” to be met at a station down the road. 😉 No problem, I can do this quick. I jump out of the car and run to the bridge.

Well, as it would happen, while I was there about to take a shot, the truck I passed earlier pulled up and this guy gets out and comes walking toward me. I’m thinking to myself that maybe I didn’t slow down enough and he was going to give me a “talkin’ to” for driving too fast down a mountainous dirt road. He approached me and asked if I lived in Coeur d’Alene. I responded “No, but our friend with us does. I’m from Texas!” We then chat a bit about my camera and such and then he says to me, “I’m going to give you an opportunity that not many people get. I own most of this land here around the river. Just a little ways up this creek is another waterfall that makes the two up top look puny. Are you interested?”

Well, now I have a predicament. I have a once in a lifetime chance to see something unique that is not available to just anyone, but my wife and friend need some facilities. I figure, surely this can’t take too long, and without another thought, I follow this stranger into the woods. I But then I remember thinking as I walked into the woods with this stranger that this is how many Criminal Minds episodes start out. I hope the shot is worth it.

We walk up the side of the creek a bit and the gentleman asks me several times if I’m agile because there will be some climbing involved. I respond “You bet I am!” knowing full well that I’m in probably the worst shape of my 55+ year life. He gives me directions–not far up the creek, but you have to climb up to the top of the bank (about 25 yards up), follow the ridge for a bit, and then climb back down (another 25 yards pretty much straight down. Again I say, “No problem.” I can’t let him thinks Texans are wimps. I thank him again and he turns to leave the woods. I’m alone.

So, I climb up the bank, camera strapped over my back, using my hands to claw my way up. I get to the top of the ridge and my heart is pounding, but I go on. I can hear the water and I keep looking down trying to see the waterfall, but the brush is very thick. I finally get to a point where it looks like a trail headed down the bank, so I climb down, again using my hands, holding on to small branches and roots sticking out of the ground to avoid falling to my death in the rushing water below.

About this time I start to wonder how long I have been gone from the car and remember my lovely wife and friend asking me to hurry because of their “need”. I think, “Well, I’m already out here now, I may as well keep going. Surely it can’t be much farther.” I think about using my cell phone to call Karen to let her know what I’m doing, but then I remember that because this was going to be a “quick shot”, the cell phone was left in the vehicle with her so… (Side note: this is not the first time this has happened)

Little do I know that back at the car, the gentleman who led me into the woods had returned to his truck and proceeded on his way. All Karen and Janice saw was this stranger lead me into the woods, and then this stranger come out of the woods alone, get in his truck, and begin to leave. As he passed our vehicle he stopped and Karen asked, “What did you do with my husband?” To which the nice gentleman replies “I put him in a box and floated him back to Texas.” LOL As I said to Karen later, “Oh those Idahoans and their wacky sense of humor.” So this is going on back at the vehicle while I’m trying to avoid getting myself killed for the sake of a photograph. They chatted for a bit and the gentleman drove away.

Now where was I? Oh yes, I had climbed down the bank, hand over hand, to get to the bottom where I saw this beautiful scene.

Dang! I came down just a bit too soon. I look around, but there is no way to walk up the creek without a chance of the swift current taking me away, especially in my weakened condition. Now my heart is really pounding from all the climbing. But it is still a beautiful scene, so as long as I’m here, I might as well take a few shots. Of course, since I was supposed to be taking a “quick shot” of the creek at the bridge, my tripod was back in the car…with my wife and friend. Oh man, they are going to kill me!

I climb back up the bank. I slip a few times and figure I’m either going to die falling to the rocky bottom or my heart is going to explode before I get back to the top of the ridge. My eyesight is starting to get blurry and my heart is pounding in my head, but I make it to the top. I pull out my 360 camera to grab a shot, just in case I don’t make it.

Now, darn it, I’ve come this far, risked my life, risked the anger of my wife and friend, and I’m this close, I MUST get a shot of the waterfall. I catch my breath, slow my heart rate and move on up the creek another 30-40 yards. There, I begin another descent down the dirt wall of death. I don’t make it to the bottom this time because there is a tree and a massive drop-off down to the water. But, I can see the waterfall. I take a few shots, just because. I made it! Still alive…but wait, now I have to climb up again.

Once more, hand over hand, grabbing anything sticking out of the ground, and hoping that it will hold my weight without giving way and sending me tumbling backwards to a rocky and watery death. I make it to the top and once more must catch my breath, and slow my heart.

After a brief rest, I remember those lovely people waiting for me in the car once again. I being to wonder if they just took the car and went to take care of business (they didn’t). I feel bad, but somehow hope that they will understand that this was something I just had to do.

I slowly make my way back, stumbling along way way with noodle-legs and a dizzy head. I finally see the road once again and make my way out. As I’m crossing the bridge over the creek, I stop to take the original photo I wanted to take when this odyssey began.

Now I see the car and I see the faces in the car. It has now been about 40-50 minutes or so since I stepped out for a “quick shot”. I know I’m in trouble. But the adventure…

Thankfully, I have a very loving wife and wonderful friend. Once I got them to the station and their needs were met (I also bribed them with sodas and snacks) they were understanding. We traded stories about what happened on each side and we all decided the gentleman from Idaho was a pretty cool guy. I have his card and will be sending him a print of one of the photos I took on his land to thank him for showing this Texas boy a good time, and providing us with a great story!

One day of vacation left…

Michael
Sharing God’s Creation, One Click at a Time

All words and photos copyright 2019 MHampton Photography
Equipment used: Canon 5DS-R, Canon 1DX II, Canon T6S, and various Canon lenses and Insta360 One X