Johnson Crawle Falls, Braehead Falls, Clarendon Jamaica

Ever since I visited Braehead Falls back in 2020 I’ve been wanting to go back to explore the remaining waterfalls that side but never could find the right timing. Even with proper planning it just didn’t work out. The plan was to get all the cascades I haven't seen yet out the way within the first four months of the year. I had planned to visit last May but my grandfather passed away and the funeral was within the timeline I planned for. I know I could just go any other time but the person I had planned to do this adventure with doesn’t live in Jamaica. Man a plan and God a wipe lol. 

Fast forward to December 2022 a little over 2 years later the opportunity finally came up for this adventure to happen. The person I originally planned to do this with was back in Jamaica and called me up for us to finally go chasing Johnson Crawle. I was somewhat hesitant and excited at the same time. I've been feeling under the weather, it would appear that nothing excites me these days. I haven’t been exploring, my last adventure was over the summer when I went back to Crescent Falls because I didn’t see him in all his glory. 

On December 22, 2022 I was up early for this adventure because I had to meet my company and his friend in Old Harbour. Kenny and his friend Roland were right on time, so It didn’t take long to start the adventure, after arriving in Old Harbour. It was smooth sailing on the highway, but that came to an end shortly after arriving in May Pen. The road was rough and winding, it was worse than when I came 2 years ago. Kenny and I chatted the entire trip while Roland slept lol. Apparently they were up all night partying.

Back in May while planning this trip I tried to get a guy from the area to take us to the waterfall, but he was telling me some ridiculous prices. Then I remembered that I had another link on that side of the island. I reached out to him but he was unavailable. However, he put me on to a friend. The friend was also busy and everybody who he knew was either overseas or not in the community. I checked back with the links I have and surprisingly  everybody was still busy, bummer. The only solution now is to just show up and pray we find somebody to take us. Schools were on Christmas break so I am sure we'll find someone to show us the way. This was our first adventure together and usually I'd just pop up in a community and find somebody but since it was our first time, I made it known and he was down for it. The day could be a wild goose chase or it could simply go as planned, we’ll see.

After passing through the town of Chapleton, the journey got worse. The roads were in bad conditions and were badly in need of repairs. We had to stop a few times and ask for directions because the journey seemed longer than my first visit but hey that's all a part of the experience. After about an hour and thirty minutes we arrived in the small community, home to the magnificent Braehead Falls. Upon reaching where the little stream runs across the main road leading up the mighty Braehead, I saw a lady and some kids washing and that made me happy, at least I could ask her for a local to show us the way to Johnson Crawl. I quickly asked for assistance while my friends parked and admired the waterfall. Braehead Falls is visible to an adventurer's eyes from the road way even though it is tucked away behind lush green trees. You just need to have a good eye lol.

The lady sent one of the kids to  ask a man in the far distance, who was picking breadfruits, if he knew where it was. She then proceeded to make a phone call to her brother-in-law to inquire if  he knew where the waterfall was. The person said he knew where it was and would be willing to help us. I asked to speak with him but he didn’t sound sure so I was somewhat hesitant.

I waited for the man that was picking  the breadfruits to come, so I could speak with him. When he arrived I shook my head, funny story it was the same person who was giving me the ridiculous prices SMH. I negotiated for 4k to show us both waterfalls but we settled for 5k. In no time we were back on the winding road to find parking to start the hike. The road was tiny and rough so we stopped and asked if we could park at someone's house. A little old lady agreed  so we parked and grabbed what we needed for the hike. For me, it's usually water, my camera, bug spray and snacks. It was bright and sunny, a perfect day to chase waterfalls.

The hike was 30 minutes; after the first ten minutes I was ready to take a break and usually this is not the case with me. I don't rest on a hike especially when it's to see something new but it was a steady uphill climb through a narrow, stony pathway. Rough I tell you or maybe because I haven't been out in so long,  hmmm.. Well the rough pathway took us to a lush green hill top, I was no longer tired so we made our way along the hillside, fighting  off overgrown trees and wild canes. Plenty of fruit trees were in the area such as Coconut, Coco and Guava and of course I had to stop and check the Guava trees lol. Nothing like freshly picked fruits, on a hiking trail. The remaining hike wasn't so rough and the views were breathtaking.

Upon approaching the river, be prepared to slip a little, slide a little and even get dirty. My shoes

were brown and muddy but it was all worth it. 

My heart was completely taken away and once again I was in awe. Johnson Crawle was tall and fine, his flow was milky white, the water was invigorating, leaving the air moist and cool. The downpour formed natural steps that lead to a swimming pool. Perfection at its best, it’s like something out of a fairy tail book.

We spent an absolutely wonderful time there, taking pictures and frolicking in the water. Well I didn’t frolicked too much because I didn’t want to get my hair wet, but eventually it did while trying to get a video.

Too soon, however, it was time to retrace our steps back to where we parked to hike in the opposite directions to see the other waterfall. On the way back I paid keen attention to something I saw on the way and to my surprise it is what I thought it was, except bigger. I wont say what it is just know I’ll be back soon!!

The hike back was about fifteen minutes, half the time it took us to get there. In no time we were back to where we parked. I asked how long the second hike would take but the local guide acted as if he wanted to out smart me, talking about the money I offered to pay him was for one waterfall and I have to give him extra to see the other. When I refused he started talking about the hike to get there will be rough and it's a long hike along the cliffs SMH. My companions for the day weren't too eager to see the other cascade. Roland was scared of heights so they settled for just one waterfall, I was okay with whatever so I didn’t want to push it because they weren’t used to these kinds of adventures, but on the other hand I was low key disappointed, I felt cheated. So yeah, I’ll be back to see it real soon. 

The day was still young so we drove back to Braehead Falls, to chill. The area surrounding the falls was lush and green, it would appear that no one ventured to visit this waterfall in a while, the little track leading to the falls was overgrown with wild bushes. I sat my bag down on a flat rock. Something I do every time I visit a waterfall so I can empty my bag to get easy access to my camera and whatever else it is that I need. Today for some reason I ended up emptying my bag in an ant nest without even realizing, in no time ants were crawling and biting all over my body, some in places I didn’t even remember I have lol. These weren’t even normal ants; they were big and black, about the size of a rice grain.

After taking photos and enjoying the scenery it was time to leave, even though we had the entire waterfalls to ourselves. There was nowhere to swim, the little stream flowing from the cascade was filled with huge rocks that were very slippery, the only downfall to this beauty. Plus my skin was itching from all the ant bites. 

As always remember you can catch me on the go on Instagram Sugardrops2311 and as usually this itinerary is available for sale you can purchase by sending me a DM on Instagram Sugardrops2311 or  email tifaneygidarisingh@gmail.com also please support my blog by donating to my Paypal, thank you.