Skip to content

October 15, 2024

Hemlock Falls and Moccasin Creek Wildlife Trails

near Moccasin Creek State Park

Distance
4.0 mi
Climbing
358 ft
Difficulty
Easy
Type
Loop with Out & Back
GPS track availableView on AllTrails →

What a wonderful day for a hike with the coolest start, 41°F, since spring. We began and later finished our hike with the Moccasin Creek Wildlife Trail, but no wildlife. Still, a nice trail and it added some mileage. Both trails were an easy hike , in good condition, and were not blocked in any way as a result of the recent hurricane. There was surprisingly a fair amount of water flowing in Moccasin Creek and over Hemlock Falls. At Matt's suggestion we took a short side road up to an old CCC camp. Just some old foundations, but the sign provided some interesting information on "Camp Gaften."

Today's Hikers: Vic Robson, Heather Wall & Toby, Ken Kellerman & Cutie Pie, Edwin Pruitt, Beth Hawkins, Renee Corbett, Gerald Richardson, Jim Driggers, Lynn Steele, Matt Henderson & Toby, Cindy Angliss, Linda Shultz and Jenny & Mike Bell

The route

4.0 mi · 358 ft climbing · 2h 14m out, 2h 2m walking · 2.0 mph moving

Elevation

Hover over the profile to see the elevation and steepness. Your position will be shown on the map.

2,212 ft1,873 ft0.0 mi1.0 mi2.0 mi3.0 mi4.0 mi
  • Steepness
  • Gentle under 5%
  • Moderate 5–10%
  • Steep 10–15%
  • Very steep over 15%

10 photos are shown on the map where they were taken — click one to see it full size.

Photos (10)

  • Hemlock Falls on Moccasin Creek - 15-Foot Single-Tier Cascade. Surprising a fair amount of water flowing today.
  • Today's Hikers (L-R) Smile guys!:Vic, Heather & Toby, Ken & Cutie Pie, Jenny, Edwin, Beth, Renee, Gerald, Jim, LYnn, Matt & Toby, Linda, Cindy & Mike
  • Typical trail conditions. Moccasin Creek Wildlife Trails on the left; Hemlock Falls Trail on the right.
  • Nice views of Moccasin Creek along the way to the falls..
  • The several bridges were in good shape.
  • Another view of Hemlock Falls.
  • On our return, we took a short visit to the old CCC camp, Camp Gaften. Interesting history, but just old foundations there now.
  • Finishing our hike of the Moccasin Creek Wildlife Trail. Renee in now hustling down the trail after setback earlier this year.
  • Alway love those gnarly trees.
  • Nice to see some wildflowers: Left- Orange Balsam or Jewelweed; Right-Blue Wood Aster.