Black House Mountain Four Wheeling

Fall leaves at Black House Mtn along the road
 

Black House Mountain Four Wheeling

Friday Oct. 25, 2024

Kenny & Dana Koogler 

Maple Hill Campground Info 

Photos are Here 

  We cancelled our camping trip to Adventure Village in Western North Carolina on account of the storm damage to roads.  The campground was open so we have a rain check there now. Hopefully we can go in Spring of 2025.  I want to work on my hybrid trillium research there in late April early May.    We had a rain check at Maple Hill Campground in Jamestown, Tennessee since Spring 2024.    (Click the link embedded in this paragraph for the photo album)We decided to take advantage of it and booked a stay for the last weekend of October.    The hope was to visit with Sharon again and do some hiking and four wheeling.

We also thought we'd finally get to take Nelson Matthews to see Frank's Flume this trip.  Two Autumns back I had such a magical experience on Skinner Mountain I was hoping to duplicate it.

I had a poster sized photo blown up of my favorite scene from that day.    I would dream of it sometimes.   Standing in the forest where the light is russet and gold with rain drizzling and leaves fluttering down like copper confetti.     I realized we'd be a couple weeks earlier than we were that trip, but we'd chance it anyhow.   

Below:  monolith down in Lost Cane in a forest of copper beech trees.  My favorite.  November 2022

     We arrived Friday afternoon and Maple Hill was looking beautiful!   Ken Edenfield and his family have moved back and have built a lovely home at the edge of the property.   The maple leaves and sumac and goldenrod in the fields were glowing with color.   The skies were blue and sunny.    A nice breeze fluttered the leaves.    The campground has been expanded and improved.

I realized it had been far too long between stays.   I felt like I had come home.    I love this place.

Lots of great memories.     A few families have permanent sites here and they decorate for the season.   One family had Halloween decorations out.    We set up the camper and got a bite of lunch and prepared to go riding on Blackhouse Mountain.  

Below is a photo of Maple Hill Campground and the pretty Fall trees. 

Below: another view out across the campground

Below: the trees in the middle of the traffic circle at the campground

       

      It had been a decade since I went riding at Pickett State Forest/Black House Mountain.

I was looking forward to it.   We wore it out for awhile riding in Spring, Summer, and Fall. 

It is usually one of two ways very dusty or very muddy.     It is a fun place to ride, but rather popular and crowded.     We headed up the road toward the state forest and parking area.

Much has changed since our last visit.    Pogue Creek Canyon has been established as a hiking destination by the state.   A parking area for riders has been set aside which is good.  

Below:  a partial view to the north driving out Black House Mountain Road

Below:  Black House Mountain Road... most of the Fall colors were right by the road edges

  We parked the truck and while Kenny unloaded I got out in the woods and walked around.  The sun shining through the forest canopy was golden and beautiful.   Leaves were fluttering down around me.  Reds, orange, browns, golds, yellows, mixed with a few greens under bluest skies.  It was true Autumn Splendor. 

above:  the woods around the parking area 

Below:  looking straight up through the trees

Below:  bright yellows and orange leaves

Below: golden sunbeams down through the trees

Below: zoomed in on the forest canopy and the rainbow of Fall colors

     

  We loaded up the RZR and set off.   We headed out the road and the plan was to start by going to the Mineral Lake.  Just the ride out the rest of Black House Mountain Road was very pretty alone.    We found the turn to Mineral Lake which takes off to the left of the main road and headed that way.  We hadn't gone far until we encountered the first other four wheeling folks of the day.  It was a group of four jeepsters. They were tackling a rough hill.  We pulled over into a work around since we wanted to go around them.  We did stop to talk to them a little.  One man said he spoke with a local fellow that morning and the guy indicated that the trails on the north side were all closed off.   The story sounded like someone was messing with the rider trying to possibly run off out of towners.   We told him we thought so since far as we knew the trails were open.    I hate to see anyone done dirty or lied to.   Out of towners have as much right to be there as anyone in my book.     

      We made it to Mineral Lake without any trouble.   The jeeps were having to take it easy, but we tore through there and got to the lake ahead of them.   We had it to ourselves for a few minutes.    It was way prettier than I'd remembered.  Blue green waters under blue skies surrounded by red dirt and fiery red and yellow leaves.   Quite a scene.  The breeze rippled the leaves and water surface.   It was lovely.   

     Below is a short video of the lake scene by itself.   It better illustrates what it was like than any photo.  

      Below is a photo of the view out across Mineral Lake. 

Below: another view that shows the other edge of the woods more.

  We took in the scenery at the lake for a bit then heard the jeep folks right behind us.  We decided to get going and leave it to them.    We went on past the lake and made a fun loop by turning right on the other side of the lake. It brings you out through a pretty forest and eventually back to the main road.  

I had forgotten how fun this could be!    We used to ride here with Buck, Kenny's best buddy.  We have missed him since he passed on, but at least we have lots of great memories of trips past. Meals shared in restaurants and in our home.    I remember the first time I ever experienced Pickett State Forest riding was with Buck and friends.  The ride back out that evening we were flying down the trail. Kenny was whipping the machine up on the side banks of sand.  It was so fun I laughed until my sides were sore. 

 Once back out on the road we went back to where the trails go to the north.  We hadn't gone far until we encountered a chain blocking access along with signage.  Sure enough the trails heading to the north toward Kentucky were closed! We checked another one nearby and found the same thing.   While we did not check every single one, the two main trails were indeed blocked off.  We spoke with someone later who indicated this is a temporary thing. They are logging and this is just until they are done. 

Guy said the trails would be reopening in early 2025.   I guess we'll see.   The roads have been graveled and graded for the purpose of hauling out logs.  We did hear from the same guy that the state forest is accessible from the Kentucky side.   I hope we get the chance to find out.   

         

Consequently access to the following is not possible from the south.

• Car Hauler
• Storybook Cliff
• Tea Cup
• Carpenters Arch or Rock House
• Wagon Gap Overlook
• Yellow Doors Overlook
• Sunnybrook Sandwich Shop
• Hall Hollow
• Jimtown
• Granny's Crack
• Giant Fireplace

If you have info I wish you'd contact me and let me know the time frame of the closures and if it is indeed possible to get there from the Kentucky side? 

   Thankfully we were running Lifetime Maps.   We saw where there were two overlooks on the accessible side.  We figured we'd at least hit those. One was the Wow Overlook. I recalled being there before.    The Lifetime Maps said the other was the PS Overlook.  That puzzled me.

I didn't recall that one at all, but I did remember some of the trail to it.

    We enjoyed a pretty ride out to the Wow Overlook.  We had it to ourselves!

It was glorious.   It was way prettier than I remembered.   The views went on forever into the distance.  Rocky bluffs to the left. Autumn colors on into the distance.  

Below is a video of the ride to Wow Overlook and the overlook itself.

Below are some photos of the Wow Overlook

This one is the view straight ahead. The terrain appears to flow toward the overlook.  I'm not sure if it really does or if it is an optical illusion. Either way it is impressive!  

Below: looking over the northwest or right side of Wow Overlook

below: the rocky edge of Wow Overlook

Below: looking left toward the bluffs from Wow Overlook. Bold Fall colors!  We thought perhaps PS Overlook was there looking back toward Wow.  

Below: the next three images were taken of the Wow Overlook by my Go Pro.   The first one immediately below has that fish eye look.  

  We reveled in the view at Wow.   It was truly grand stand!    We then loaded back up and headed to find "PS Overlook".     It was one of the more funny, exciting moments of the day.   We wound through the forest using Lifetime Maps.  I began to have this feeling that something was very wrong.  

We went down a big gully.  We met other riders that warned us it was a little rough. 

We crossed what must have been Williams Creek.   It was just a trickle today.    We turned right and trended downward.   It looked perilously close to the drop off of a bluff.   I refused to go further. 
Kenny got out and walked a short distance to scout it. He came back quickly with wide eyes and head shaking like "Nope. Nope."  I had been right.  This was NOT the way.  A quick glance at the Lifetime Maps and we were off the trail!

Below are a couple photos of the two times today we screwed up and got off trail.

The two blue lines heading out from the red loop are the mess ups!  

  We went back and course corrected getting back on track to head to PS Overlook which was included on Lifetime Maps.   We went to where it was supposed to be and checked in two or three spots along the bluffs.   We never did find it.    It was beautiful in the forest here!  But as far as getting to a rock outcrop or any spot with a vantage point ... no. It doesn't exist.  After we got home I found a video by Michael Davis and he mentions them trying to find it.  It is non existent.  I'm going back and take way points of the terrain at Wow.   I can then perhaps find a way to the opposing bluff. I will at least be able to determine if it is even possible.

     PS Overlook needs to come off Lifetime Maps. I believe someone put that sucker on there as a snipe hunt prank!     No matter. We had fun and no one got hurt.   The woods there at that spot in Autumn are worth seeing unto themselves.

above: looking down this path was deceptive. Right around the corner it drops off sharply.  

Below:  the forest was open at the so called PS Overlook

Above: we are the purple line with the pin. PS Overlook is at the blue line
Below: my favorite scene from that spot... you can see the edge of the bluff line tantalizingly close, but there is no view and really no good way to reach it. 

  We were satisfied at our half day adventure so we headed back to the truck.    It was fun and reminded me not to be so quick to write off areas we have worn out in the past.   Go back and see them again with fresh eyes later! 

       Below is a video of the search for PS Overlook.  It better shows what that experience was like.

Dale Hollow Lake & Mitchell Creek Falls

Above:  Otie sleeps on Sharon's lap

 Dale Hollow Lake & Mitchell Creek Falls

Sunday 10/19/24

Kenny & Dana Koogler

Sharon McGee and Otie the Dog

Mitchell Creek Marina

Mitchell Creek Falls Directions 

  Sunday we planned to go to Dale Hollow Lake and enjoy riding on the new (to us) pontoon boat.

I'd long wanted to check out Dale Hollow Lake.  I knew there were several waterfalls that dropped into coves around the lake.  The one I was most keen to find was Mitchell Creek Falls.    I had guessed long ago where it must be situated according to topography.    Today I'd get to field check that bearing. 

I'd finally get to see the falls in person.  We were rather dry rain fall wise so I hoped the waterfall would be running.   I also wanted to see Mitchell Creek Marina and Pleasant Grove Recreation Area and Dale Hollow Dam.  

   We packed snacks and drinks, but did not pack lunch.  It didn't take too long to arrive at the dock. It was a busy day with a fair number of people taking boats in and out of the lake.  Some were taking boats out for the season to leave. Others were just coming or going for the day.   We went into the marina first to check it out and pay the dock fee.   The marina and the staff working were very nice.   They had the seasonal merchandise on sale for 20% off.   I got some deals on cute earrings.  We got ice cream.

   They have a restaurant, but it must have been closed for the season.    Kenny put the boat in the water, and had me pull the truck up to the parking area to get it out of the way.  I can take a boat, trailer, or whatever you want anywhere forwards!  It's backing up that gets tough.  I've done it, but only a couple times.   I pulled the truck up as instructed by Mr. Particular and trotted down to the dock.  

Above and below: Mitchell Creek Marina

Below:  spooky decoration in the window of a house boat. 

    We loaded up the boat and set off.  Kenny was using the new depth finder on the pontoon for the first time.  It went very well.    The trip to the cove to find the waterfall was only a little over 2 miles.  As we rounded a bend and began to near the cove we spotted a road coming down to the lake shore on the right.   A man was walking down that road.  He turned and headed along the shore going the same way we were heading.  That is how we figured out you CAN visit Mitchell Creek Falls by land.  

   We anchored the boat and were able to don water shoes and get over onto shore.  It was a super short, easy hike up through the woods to the falls.   We found them with no problems.  They were pretty. 

Autumn leaves were scattered on the waterfall. The lake shore had a little beginning leaf color. 

  We enjoyed the scenery and the falls.   We speculated as to what the old structure might have been?

 Once we were satisfied we headed back to board the pontoon.  We were on to the next leg of our day's journey. 

Below is a photo of Capn' Kenny






Below is Sharon

Above:  Otie is on shore starting to check things out

Below: Sharon on shore starting the hike.

Below: Mitchell Creek was very pretty. 

Below: the woods were pretty open as was the shore line.

Below: foundation of some old man-made structure we found

Above: Moss covered logs 

Below:  Clear waters of Mitchell Creek 

Below: Mitchell Creek Falls 

Below is a video of the trip to Mitchell Creek Falls

Dale Hollow Dam & Pleasant Grove Rec. Area

  The next phase of our trip was pretty, but not as exciting as all that.  I didn't do the best job of planning and executing it.   First of all, the Pleasant Grove Recreation Area IS pretty and interesting, but it is prettiest in Summer when the water is up at normal levels.   It is far more fun when you can swim. 

Secondly we were all getting so hungry way past lunch that nobody cared much about the trip. I should have packed us a picnic.   We'd have felt better and at least gone ashore to explore the recreation area.

It has a bridge that goes from the main land to an island.   It is a cool suspension bridge.  It also has been around long enough that the far end of the island is abandoned.  I had wanted to explore that.

      It will have to be done another time with a better plan in place.    We did see the main channel of the lake that you need to get on to go up to Kentucky or the eastern parts of this lake.   We saw the Dale Hollow Dam which was impressive.  The suspension bridge to the rec. area was cool. The day was beautiful and relaxing.     We had to head back though.    We ended up loading things and finding the Mitchell Creek Marina restaurant was closed despite Google Maps saying it was well within open hours.    Finding this we headed to Livingston and the Steel Coop for a late lunch/early supper. 

    It was a fun day, but not one of my better plans.    We still learned from it and managed to make a day of it.   The only 'bad" thing that happened today was being seated at the Steel Coop.  We were going to sit on the patio so the dog could go with us.   We walked in to what seemed like the starts of a barroom brawl.  It was just a bunch of boisterous, tipsy patrons.    We couldn't hear ourselves think so had to go sit indoors and put Otie in the truck.   First time ever encountering this atmosphere at this place.  Not a huge deal.

Notes to Self:

• Revisit Pleasant Grove in Summer with a picnic packed and prepared to swim and stick around.
• 
  
• Go up to Sunset Marina and try their version of Steel Coop. 
• 
  
•   Go up to the Kentucky side and visit Dale Hollow State Resort Park.
• Find the waterfall on Eagle Creek and up at the resort park.
• Visit Goat Island
• Fall trips we need to wait until the colors are bursting.
• Try a Winter trip  in January or February to eagle watch
• Try a sunset cruise on the lake and a bonfire/cookout

     

Above:  Fall colors on a few trees on the shore of Dale Hollow Lake.

above: suspension bridge at Pleasant Grove Rec. Area-- there is also a bridge of land and shallow water so no boats here.

Below: Otie sleeps on Sharon's lap

above and below:  views of the massive Dale Hollow Dam. 

Below: a few more Fall colors

Below is a video of Dale Hollow Lake and Dam and the rest of our day's adventure.

Cap Rock and Maudes Crack Hike 

Oct. 19, 2024

Kenny & Dana Koogler

Sharon McGee and Otie the  Bestest Hiking Dog

Cap Rock Directions

Maude's Crack Directions

  We went out to see Sharon and hike for the weekend.   We took the pontoon boat this weekend.

The plan was to go hiking one day and boating/hiking another day.    We hiked in Big South Fork to take Sharon to visit Cap Rock for the first time.  We'd been, but missed seeing Maude's Crack and Russell Arch.   We'd try to hit all of those today.    Otie loves to hike so it was great that we could all go!  He gets so wound up when we take him. He makes the trek several times over checking on all of us.   His herding instincts kick in!  

     It was a bluebird day.  Sunny skies with mild temperatures.   We had the start of Fall colors in Big South Fork.    We saw few others today.   We made the long drive back Terry Cemetery Road and hiked the unofficial trail to Cap Rock Window first.  It is a tall spire of sandstone with a diamond shaped hole eroded through it. It appears to be wearing a graduation mortar board.   That is the capstone of harder, less easily eroded rock.    The pillar is full of swirls and holes.     

    It had been awhile since we did this hike. Typical of us we made it seem shorter and simpler than it truly was.    We had to do a bit of way finding, but we didn't have any significant trouble.   We did loose the trail or what there is of one at one point.   Otherwise we were fine coming and going. 

There was one more drainage to cross than we recalled also.   We made it out to the edge of the bluff and found a steep scramble path down to the Cap Rock.   We worked our way around to see it.  

   It stood towering by the bluff about fifty feet from the cliff edge.   We sat down at its base in the shade to cool off and enjoy it. The slope is a bit steep, but we were able to get views of it and a few pictures.     

Above : a vertical oriented shot of Cap Rock

Below: Horizontal composition.  Look at those pretty orange leaves! 

Below:  on the "trail" amidst the leaves under those blue, blue skies! 

Above: Otie is happy

Below:  Zoomed in on the cap 

Above: zoomed in on the diamond shaped window

Below: another look at the forest coloring up for Autumn! 

  We took in the Cap Rock and toiled bravely back up the slope to the bluff line.   We decided to try to find Russell Arch.  We started off hiking on out the trail past Cap Rock.  Kenny had the notion we needed to go back to one of the drainages we'd crossed on the way in.  He believed that would take us right down and around to the big 100x30 foot arch.  We turned around and headed the direction he wanted to try.   We stopped at that drainage and waited.  Sharon and I hung out while he went ahead to scout.   He returned a short time later saying that was not it.   He'd tried a couple different ways and each side cliffed out cutting off further progress.   I was not in the mood to be on the Struggle Bus today.    Instead we just kept easing back in the direction we'd come trying NOT to lose the trail this go round.   We managed to keep sight of it heading out. 

Below is a video of Cap Rock Window

           Russell Arch was a wash today, but we still needed to reach Maude's Crack.  It is a popular, well known hike.  I don't know why we'd never done it?!   We'd fix that today.   Back on the main trail we turned east and headed out the finger ridge.  It was pretty level and easy.   The path was nice. The colors were pretty.  The company and conversation were great.    We got to where the ridge narrowed down. We could see from one side to the next!    We passed a couple neat overlooks of the gorge below.

The views were spectacular and unobstructed.    At the second overlook we went a few steps over and there was the crack!  A bright yellow poly rope was tied to the trunk of a tree.   It drooped down into the dim light of the crack.  Kenny was down that cleft in the rock in no time.   Sharon opted not to attempt it.  She was mainly concerned Otie would try to follow us and might get injured.    I offered to lift him, but she didn't think it was a good idea.   They stayed up above.  I took a look at the way down and said "I can do this! "  I just took my time and was careful.  It was exciting and fun.   Kenny was waiting on me at the bottom.   It is the one route down off this bluff that I am aware of.   

Below is a photo taken at Overlook #1 

Below: the top part of Maude's Crack

Below: down at the base of the bluff at Maude's Crack

Below: a photo taken at Overlook #2 

Below is a photo of a cup handle archette at the bottom of the crack. 

Below: down in Maude's Crack there is a spot shown here that faces off the bluff. It has a choke stone.

Above: Kenny standing there at the top of the crack by the rope. 

    I was tickled we'd done it at last.   It was great fun.   The climb back out was easier than going down. 

We made a leisurely hike back to the truck.   It was exactly what I needed.  Time with my best friend and time outdoors.   I checked with Kerry Woolbright once I got home.  I asked him about Russell Arch and how to reach it.  We should have stayed on the ridge line past Cap Rock like we started out to do.

It was maddening to learn we'd only missed finding Russell Arch by 0.06 miles!  It is okay though. We'll go back and knock that out and succeed next time. Thank you Kerry!  

Below is a video of Maude's Crack and the overlooks