Accessibility – Moderate (5)
Height – 10′
Distance – 2.4 miles (out and back)
Beauty – 4
Photo rating – 5
Solitude – 7
GPS Info: LAT 35.22125 LONG -82.29949
TH GPS: LAT 35.22239 LONG -82.31395
Last visited – 04/15/2026
Last Updated – 04/15/2026
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NOTE: US 176 is closed due to storm damage from Hurricane Helene, and from the looks of it, it may remain this way for some time. The road is blocked by concrete bollards just past the entrance to Pearson’s Falls, adding about 0.4 miles each way of road walking to reach the old TH.
Hemlock Shoal (Lower Melrose Falls) is the last waterfall on Big Fall Creek, poised right at the confluence with the North Pacolet River. It is all of 10 feet tall, and from the base, you can see Melrose Falls upstream.
Where to park: There is room to park where US 176 is blocked, not too far from Pearson’s Falls. The GPS for where I parked is: 35.22239, -82.31395. US 176 is only one lane for much of the drive, and there are traffic control signals.
The hike: Walk US 176 beyond the concrete barricade for 0.4 miles to a point just before the second bridge over the North Pacolet River. The trailhead is on the right, on an old logging road that goes past a series of boulders while heading up the hill. The grade moderates after the initial climb and wanders up and down. Just around 0.4 miles from the road, a side trail heads to the left, leading to Hemlock Shoal. After taking the left, the first 0.3 miles are mostly level, followed by 0.1 miles that are very steep, leading down to the bank of the North Pacolet River. There were several dubious ropes in place, but I wouldn’t trust them. Once you get to the bottom, follow the river downstream about 15 feet to where Big Fall Creek joins it. Hemlock Shoal is just above the confluence.
Hemlock Shoal isn’t much, but it’s a nice spot, and since the road is closed, it’s way quieter than it used to be.
Nearby stuff on this hike
