Saturday, May 16, 2020

2020-05-09 Waterfalls of Hamlin Creek

The Waterfalls of Hamlin Creek
(aka West Fork of Wattacoo Creek)
Ashmore Heritage Preserve /
Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area
Greenville County, SC
Saturday, May 9th, 2020

Selfie with Jennifer Loow by her favorite waterfall of the day.


My buddy Darrin (aka the Salmon) Hamlin volunteers to maintain the Mountain Bridge Passage Trail, which connects the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area and the Ashmore Heritage Preserve.  In addition, several of the bridges along this trail were constructed by his son's boy scout troops.  As a result, one of the waterfalls along the trail is named Hamlin Falls.

Since the trail meanders around the West Fork of Wattacoo Creek, we have unofficially renamed this creek Hamlin Creek.  Jennifer Loow and I decided to head off trail and see what was upstream from Hamlin Falls.

We also made it to Ashmore Falls and found a Pitcher Plant paradise (albiet a bit past peak) upstream from Ashmore Falls.  We did the hike as a short shuttle, however the parking areas are close enough together that a shuttle is really not necessary.

Here is the GPS Track from our adventure.


And here are some of the photos:


Lake Wattacoo

Ashmore Falls

Me at Ashmore Falls
(photo by Jennifer Loow)

 Jennifer finds Pitcher Plant Paradise


 Pitcher Plants

Tree Hugger
Photo by Jennifer Loow

 Jennifer at Hamlin Falls

 Hamlin Falls

Jennifer heading up Hamlin Creek

 Me by one of the many waterfalls along Hamlin Creek

Jennifer by a cool cave along Hamlin Creek

Leading the way to another waterfall along Hamlin Creek
(photo by Jennifer Loow)

 Jennifer by my favorite waterfall of the day

 Enjoying the moment
(photo by Jennifer Loow)


 Jennifer enjoying her favorite waterfall of the day.


We saw no humans during the off trail portions of our hike.  Even with the bright sun, it was still a near perfect day until we got back on the trails.    When we finished up, the Ashmore Heritage Preserved was swarming with humans and Persimmon Ridge Road was overflowing with vehicles.


My complete set of photos is posted here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/8146392@N05/albums/72157714312058988


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