Hemmed in Hollow

There are two ways to get to Hemmed-In Hollow: either from the Compton Trailhead or from the river when it's floatable (which is far easier and much shorter). Directions for both follow. FROM COMPTON TRAILHEAD - 5 MILES R/T: There's no doubting that Hemmed-In Hollow is one humdinger of a waterfall. Even when its long, billowing cascade is of modest volume, the geology of the fall alone is worth seeing. The best time to view the waterfall is during times of reoccurring rainfall, such as springtime, early summer thunderstorm season and even fall. In winter, spray from the waterfall fall can form an ice dome at the fall's base, which offers the hiker an entirely different way to appreciate the scenery. This is not a hike we recommend for young children or folks who tire quickly. While the trail is downhill all the way, it's a steady and sometimes steep 2.5-mile climb out, so take plenty of water with you and something to snack on. That being said, this is definitely a trail worth doing if your physical well-being is up to the 4 or 5 hours it takes to complete the hike. Serious photographers will want to be at the waterfall by 9:30 AM at the latest in order to catch the waterfall in even light. 8:30 AM is even better, although this means starting the trail in the dark certain times of the year. If you want to make a day of it, it's a 20-minute hike down to the Buffalo River from the waterfall, which also puts you in proximity to pretty Sneeds Creek and Granny Henderson's historic log cabin.