While the return of spring brings back nicer weather, it also harkens the return of crowds to some of the more popular spots.
Seeking solitude and looking to get back in shape, I went to Ashmore Heritage Preserve.
Tucked away in a corner of the Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area near Caesar’s Head State Park, the trailhead for the remote DNR Preserve lies up the gravel Persimmon Ridge Road.
This preserve is famous for a two-mile trail down and around Lake Wattacoo, a large pond at the base of a mountain valley with several waterfalls around it. The loop makes a lovely one-hour hike.
However, I was in the mood for something a bit tougher and more remote, so I set out for High Rock on Green Mountain near the far edge of the preserve.
This hike followed remote fire roads for more than two miles out, steeply up and then along Green Mountain, fording creeks and traversing along ridgetops with views through the trees — still without large leaves to block their view. Just after crossing off the property line, I reached High Rock. This gently scoured gneiss rock face gives magnificent views of the rolling Piedmont, Paris Mountain and downtown Greenville.
This remote, unadulterated rock face in pine forest is a perfect spot to sit and enjoy the beautiful weather, the wind whipping by, far away from all other people, even on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. What a wonder, being an hour-and-half hike from the trailhead is.
This is a relatively remote hiking area. I went on the first really nice Saturday this spring, and the only evidence of other people I saw was a few cars at the trailhead when I got back.