Emerald Pools Trail

 

The Emerald Pools are divided into three tiers, Lower, Middle and Upper.  The Lower Emerald Pool is very easy to get to with paved walk way that makes the lower pool wheelchair accessible. This area tends to be a bit crowded. Depending on weather and the amount of rain fall, the lower Emerald Pool could have a wide water fall. The walkway continues under the waterfall then turns to a dirt trail to reach the upper pools and a large waterfall at the very top (rainfall dictates flow).  The pool gets it’s name because of a green algae that grows at the bottom of the pool. During my most recent visit in June 2016, the green algae was not present to the extent it had been in the past.

The Middle Emerald Pool is visited less than the Lower Emerald Pool. There is no waterfall at this pool but still a worthwhile visit. There is not much algae growing in the water but still has a green tint to justify the name and there is plenty of vegetation growing on the banks that provides a quiet shaded place to escape the sun and heat. There is a slick rock runoff nearby. Do not go past the barrier for safety reasons.
This is an in and out walk. You can return the way you came or proceed to hike up to the Upper Emerald Pool which is must steeper and rocky.

Upper Emerald Pool is the end of the Emerald Pool trail. Typically there is a nice water fall here but it was not flowing very much on my most recent visit. However there was a large size pool of water that was nice to observe. There is signage asking people not to swim in the pond but people still feel the need to ignore this and at least walk through it. Its a nice flat area, almost forming a beach of sorts. Its a difficult hike, rocky, steep and exposed to the sun. You will definitely feel the need to take a dip. But please avoid this as to not disrupt the environment of frogs and tadpoles that may be in the water.