Fall leaves at Black House Mtn along the road
Black House Mountain Four Wheeling
Friday Oct. 25, 2024
Kenny & Dana Koogler
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
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
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.
Below: looking straight up through the trees
Below: bright yellows and orange leaves
Below: bright yellows and orange leaves
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!
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
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.
Thanks for all the info.....this is great for new riders!
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