In the quiet, rugged expanse of Oconee County, South Carolina, a desperate search is unfolding for two elderly hikers who vanished into the wilderness, leaving their families and authorities gripped by concern. Carrell Wayne Fowler, 77, of Mountain Rest, and Sharon Kay Bramlett, 68, of Walhalla, set out on Friday, April 4, 2025, for what should have been a routine hike at Licklog Falls, a scenic destination nestled in the northern reaches of the county near the Georgia state line. Now, more than a day later, their whereabouts remain unknown, and a community is rallying to bring them home.
The Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, alongside Oconee County Emergency Services, issued an urgent plea to the public late Saturday evening, asking for any information that might lead to the hikers’ safe return. The pair was last seen embarking on their journey into the forested trails surrounding Licklog Falls, a popular spot known for its cascading waters and tranquil beauty. But when they failed to return as expected, their families grew alarmed. A search of the area turned up a chilling clue: the car they had driven was found abandoned in the Licklog Falls parking area, a silent testament to their presence—and their absence.
Authorities have mobilized a robust response to locate Fowler and Bramlett. Throughout Saturday, deputies employed drones to scour the dense terrain from above, their buzzing propellers cutting through the stillness as they scanned for any sign of life. Emergency crews, meanwhile, combed the ground, navigating the uneven landscape of trails and thick underbrush that define this remote corner of the county. As night fell, the Sheriff’s Office vowed to press on, continuing drone operations into the early hours of Sunday, April 6, determined to leave no stone unturned.
Descriptions of the missing hikers have been widely circulated in hopes that someone might recognize them. Fowler, a wiry figure at 77, was last seen wearing blue jeans, a grey t-shirt with a pocket, and sturdy brown boots—clothing suited for a day in the outdoors. Bramlett, 68, was dressed in blue sweatpants, a grey long-sleeve t-shirt, and white tennis shoes, her attire suggesting a casual yet practical approach to the hike. These details, though simple, are now the threads connecting a worried community to the possibility of their safe recovery.
Licklog Falls lies in a region where Oconee County brushes against Rabun County, Georgia, a borderland of natural splendor that draws adventurers year-round. The falls themselves are part of a network of trails that wind through the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest, offering breathtaking views but also challenging conditions. Steep drops, rocky paths, and dense foliage can disorient even seasoned hikers, raising fears that Fowler and Bramlett may have encountered trouble along the way. At this stage, officials have found no evidence to suggest foul play, but the uncertainty only deepens the urgency of the search.
The effort to find the pair has not been limited to local resources. Crews from Georgia have joined the operation, lending manpower and expertise to a mission that spans state lines. The use of drones, a modern tool in search-and-rescue operations, underscores the seriousness of the situation, providing aerial perspectives that human eyes might miss. Yet, despite these efforts, the vastness of the area and the fading light of Saturday have so far yielded no answers.
For the families of Carrell Wayne Fowler and Sharon Kay Bramlett, the past 24 hours have been a harrowing wait, punctuated by hope and dread in equal measure. The Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone who hiked the Licklog Falls area on Friday or Saturday to come forward if they saw individuals matching the hikers’ descriptions. Even the smallest detail—a fleeting glimpse, a distant figure—could prove pivotal. The public is asked to call 911 immediately with any information, a lifeline that authorities hope will break the silence surrounding the hikers’ fate.
As Sunday dawns, the search continues with renewed resolve. The story of Fowler and Bramlett, two individuals drawn to the beauty of nature, has struck a chord in Oconee County and beyond, a reminder of both the allure and the unpredictability of the wild. For now, the community holds its breath, waiting for word that these two souls have been found, safe and sound, ready to return to the lives they left behind at the trailhead. Until then, the hum of drones and the footsteps of searchers will echo through the forest, a determined chorus in pursuit of a happy ending.