2004-02-21 Moonshine Falls, SC & Confus ion Falls

“Waterfall Wandering Trip Report
Mountain Bridge Wilderness, SC
Near Cleveland, SC
Moonshine Falls, Confusion Falls, Ashmore Falls, Slickum Falls
Saturday, February 21, 2004
SCJack Solo Hike

I recently purchased the book “150 South Carolina Waterfalls” by Ron Tagliapietra. On page 63 there is a waterfall called “Confusion Falls” that I had never heard about. It is close to Moonshine Falls, which is one that I wanted to get some better pictures of. So that was my plan for today!

What a beautiful day to be outdoors, not a cloud in sky and by mid afternoon the temperature was in the 70s. You can’t ask for better weather in February (or any other month for that matter)!


1st Stop - Moonshine Falls Trail

Directions From Cleveland, SC head North on US276 towards Caesars Head. About a mile past the Hwy8 intersection you will pass the Ashbury Hills Camp and shortly after that the River Falls Fire Station will be on your left. Park at the Fire Station on the gravel area.

From the River Falls Fire Station, walk South along the side of US276 for about 100 yards. You will see a gravel road to your right with a gate to the right and a gate to the left. Walk around the gate on the right to begin the hike.

This is an easy out and back hike of about 4 miles (2 miles each way), but the hard part is finding the Falls. I have read several different directions to get to these falls and some of them contradict each other making it a little confusing. There are many side trails throughout this area, and the trail is not well blazed. There is an occasional red blaze, but they are very few and far between.

I wore a pedometer and took notes this time so hopefully I can give everyone some clear directions.

Basically just follow the main trail (an old logging road). At about the 0.7 mile mark there is an obvious fork in the road - take the right fork. At about the 1.2 mile mark there is another fork - take the right fork again. About 10-yards further, there is another fork - again take the right fork.

Along this hike, there are several mucky areas where small streams/springs drain across the trail. Don’t confuse these mucky areas with the two creek crossings I am about to mention. At about the 1.5-mile mark, you will come to the 1st of (2) creek crossings (Ron Tagliapietra calls this Campsite Creek). About 50 yards past this creek crossing there is a large boulder (the type that is not going anywhere any time soon) in the middle of the trail. At this boulder a side trail goes off to the left (remember this for later), while the main trail to Moonshine Falls continues straight ahead.

At about 1.8 miles, you will cross the 2nd creek (Moonshine Creek). Continue on the main trail for about 0.1 mile and look for a side trail on the left. Today there was a cairn (pile of rocks) marking this trail, and a ribbon tied around a tree, but don’t count on those always being there. It is an obvious trail, but one you can easily miss if you are not looking for it. Take this side trail for about 100-yards and look to your left for a steep descent to the base of Moonshine Falls

Moonshine Falls at about 45-ft high, is not the biggest, tallest, or most powerful waterfall but it is still a very pretty sight and highly recommended. It drops over the top of a cave so you can actually walk behind the falls. Inside the cave are the obvious remains of an old still operation (hence the name Moonshine Falls).

Moonshine Falls Waterfall Rating = 8.0/10
Difficulty Rating = 4.0/10



2nd Stop - Confusion Falls

About 0.3 miles downstream from Moonshine Falls, Moonshine Creek joins up with Campsite Creek and together fall side by side over the same cliff to form “Confusion Falls” I attempted to bushwhack downstream from Moonshine Falls a bit to get there, but it didn’t seem like the way to go, so I backtracked and followed the directions in Ron Taglapietra’s book.

Back on the main trail - Remember the Boulder I mentioned earlier. This time take the side trail. It parallels “Campsite Creek” which will be on your left. Eventually the trail fizzles out, but keep following the creek. Although there is no obvious trail anymore, the forest is pretty open so it is pretty easy to follow the creek.

You will soon hear another creek (Moonshine Creek) to your right. Head over to Moonshine Creek and look for a safe place to cross. After crossing the creek, bushwhack downstream. Again, the forest is pretty open here, so it is not really a bushwhack, but there is definitely not an obvious trail. At this point you are near the top of the Falls, so keep a safe distance away until you pass the waterfall and can descend safely to the base.

As mentioned earlier, Moonshine Creek and Campsite Creek join together to plunge side-by-side over the same cliff into pool, before continuing there journey as one, eventually draining into Matthews Creek.

I got some good pictures of this waterfall, which I believe are the first ones of it posted on the net.

I wasn’t expecting too much out of these falls, but the setting was beautiful and they far exceeded my expectations! They were nice enough to say that I got my $10.50s worth out of Ron Tagliapietra’s book!

Confusion Falls Waterfall Rating = 7.0/10
Difficulty Rating = 8.0/10

There was another Waterfall a short distance downstream from Confusion Falls, which I also took some pictures of, but it really wasn’t that impressive. Several other smaller waterfalls/cascades can be found by exploring up and down these two creeks.



3rd & 4th Stop - Ashmore Falls & Slickum Falls

Since dinner is almost ready, I am going to wrap things up and let you read about these two waterfalls on Allen Easler’s site (www.scwaterfalls.com).

I wouldn’t put Ashmore & Slickum on your must see list, but if you are in the area and have some time available they are worth the trip.

Ashmore Falls Waterfall Rating = 4.0/10
Difficulty Rating = 3.0/10

Slickum Falls Waterfall Rating = 4.0/10
Difficulty Rating = 2.0/10


Pictures from today’s Waterfall Wandering can be viewed here:
Pics Click Here

SCJack”

“hey scjack, i posted on the other site a question for you...wanna do a hike next weekend in SC, maybe on the palmetto trail? email me or IM me (aim: wvabackpacker)”

“Thanks for feeding my hiking jones. You seem to be drawn to the same sort of areas i am. i might try to make it out your way some time this summer.”

“Currahee drawn to an area featuring moonshine stills ;-) Who would have ever imagined that, lol. Nice pictures SCJack. Those waterfalls were great.”

“yuk yuk yuk”

“All I did today was cut my grass! Glad to read your trip report! Thanks for the pics!”

“I'm just pullin' your leg Currahee! I assume if I come to the Opie Nashville get together we'll be visiting your bar?”

“Hey Dub,

Next weekend is no good for me. I've got a weekend getaway to Highlands, NC planned with my girlfriend Amy. Almost any other weekend would work for me.

SCJack”