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

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