Hellhole Mtn, Hemlock Falls, Moccasin Creek Falls, a million Trout, and some exploring

Please read the itinerary and note before signing up for this hike!

We will begin the hike at a parking area on Moccasin Creek. The first mile of the hike is along a very picturesque trail which follows Moccasin Creek and has many small waterfalls and feeder streams with cascades. At just over a mile we will arrive at Hemlock Falls which has a nice pool below the falls. The trail ends at Hemlock Falls, so from this point on, the hike will become exploratory – very exploratory. After taking in Hemlock Falls, we will begin hiking upstream towards the upper falls on Moccasin Creek. There used to be a quasi-trail going to the upper falls, but a storm with high winds and a tornado knocked down a lot of trees and the trail all but disappeared. I know where the upper falls are located, but haven't been up to them, so it will be an adventure. The upper falls are supposed to be considerably larger than Hemlock Falls. The plan is to have some lunch when we arrive at the upper falls. After lunch and taking in the falls, we will then head upstream a bit more and then veer off and head up Hellhole Mtn. Why Hellhole Mtn? Because “it's there,” and it has a cool name. After arriving on Hellhole, we'll then follow some ridges making a big loop until we get back to the cars.

After we get back to the vehicles, we'll head across the road, to check out the trout fish hatchery.

NOTE: This hike will be approximately 6 miles long, have around 1,500 feet of ascent. However, there will be about 4 miles of off-trail hiking which may include scrambling, navigating though deadfalls, and creek crossings. If you don't enjoy off-trail hiking, aren't mentally flexible, and don't have a sense of adventure, then this probably isn't the hike for you.