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.

The Scream Chamber--Halloween at the Samuel Cleage House

The Scream Chamber--Halloween at the Samuel Cleage House

Sat. Oct 12, 2024

Dana Koogler and Michael Lindsey 

Below is a link to the website if you are interested in going yourself! 

Scream Chamber Haunted Attraction

Several years back I visited the Samuel Cleage House, Cleage Cemetery, and Mouse Creek Farm. 

If you click the link it takes you right to that trip report. 

I wrote about it from a historic perspective.  It has been one of the BEST READ blogs I've ever written.

It was very popular then and continues to be appealing.  I said in that article I wanted to visit the place during Halloween to attend the Scream Chamber Haunted Attraction. Well, I finally got my wish! 

   It was awesome.    I realized after this visit that 1. This is one of the best haunted attractions anywhere. 2.  I need to visit again during daylight hours and go on one of the historic tours. 

Some of the reasons the Cleage house is so perfect for a haunted attraction?  Some folks say it truly is haunted.   It is associated with two murders that for sure happened and one that was rumored. 

  Samuel Cleage was in a disagreement with a Mr. Griffith and was stabbed and lingered and eventually died. His murderer fled the area and no justice was ever meted out for that heinous crime.

  During the Civil War food shortages were everywhere.  A slave woman at the Cleage mansion had fixed a pan of cornbread which was all the food they had left to eat.  A Union soldier broke in and tried to raid the house for food and riches.   Seeing that all they had was a pan of cornbread he spit in it.

The slave woman was so incensed she split his head wide open with a meat cleaver.   Sounds like to me he got what he had coming to him.

The rumor was passed around that a Nanny in the Cleage house murdered one of the infants in her charge, but I think that was unsubstantiated.   They said she went mad and killed the infant. 

If ever a place was to be haunted this would be ripe for it.  Lots of innocent blood shed and no justice. 

       

I will have to go back and visit for the historical tour. Will also try to revisit the cemetery and Mouse Creek Farm.    The haunted house tour doesn't allow ANY photos or videos inside for good reasons.

• It would slow down the line of visitors coming through because of all the dawdling to take photos or shoot video.
• It could  potentially ruin it for the folks who come along afterwards. 
• It is impractical because of the lighting and the tight quarters. 

They don't want you carrying anything larger than a fanny pack.  No loose items. Keep your phone in your pocket or put away at all times or they will escort you out. 

 I took what photos and video I could outdoors before we entered.   I complied 100% with the rules as did my grandson.  I found out you have to pay $10 extra per person if you want the actors to touch you.

We didn't want that so I certainly wasn't going to PAY to be grabbed.   The rules said not to touch the actors or you'd be escorted out.   I didn't touch a one of them. I didn't pay extra, but I sure got touched A LOT!  I think it irritated them that I was laughing, saying "Oh kewl!" and stuff like that. I was calm. Not screaming.    I was leading my group and totally together.   Ah well,  you can't scare them all.

You get some who are old nurses who have heads filled with images of blood, guts and gore already.

We're used to violent, unpredictable, crazy patients.   It is hard to scare my type when I've spent so many decades remaining calm in the face of whatever.  LMBO!    

   It is very well done. They put a lot of effort into it. The special effects were amazing.  I loved it.

My favorite part was the special effects that made it look for the world like you were wading right through neon green swamp water up to your waist!  You couldn't see your own feet.  It was thrilling,

My least favorite part was the tight squeeze part where you are compressed between some kind of inflatable device and have to blindly work your way through it.  You can't see a thing. It is pitch black.

     I highly recommend it.   I wish I'd done it sooner.   I will definitely go back again.

It is fun having new experiences and this was 180 degrees removed from my usual activities. I hate zombie movies, slasher films, and all those scary movies.  That's what makes it miraculous that I wanted to go and actually enjoyed it!  

Above: ghoulish nurse covered in blood and gore

Below: the undertaker making his rounds

Below: the occupant of the casket has gotten out and is trying to escape! 

Below: They have escape room games and axe throwing and a concession stand.

Below:  The hearse and the casket. They give hearse rides if you pay extra for one. 

Sister Bad Habit the skeletal nun. We encountered her several times throughout.  Scary is right!

Above:  the Cleage house and the stage. They have areas set up to take photos.  They had great music.  They had a 3D light show that I was amazed by!  They also had many bonfires lit in 55 gallon barrels around the place.  It is a neat effect and would have been helpful if the evening got chilly.  I wore shorts and a t- shirt and never got cold. 

Below are a couple videos: 

 The first one is the main area and Elvira singing "Two Big Pumpkins" 

and down here is the light show and the music from The Nightmare Before Christmas "Oogie Boogie's Song".  

 

Garrison Park & Bounce Partyz Fun Zone

March 13, 2024

Dana, Gabe & Mia Koogler 

Crystal & Tessa Lindsey

Garrison Park Info 

Bounce Partyz Info

   Over Spring Break we decided to take the children to do some fun things.  

We planned an outing and three of the four grandkids, my daughter, and myself went to Crossville for the day.   Crystal took over the driving responsibilities so I got chauffeured around.      We took my jeep, but she drove.   She is a good driver.    

   We went by Chik Fil A first for lunch.   The one in Crossville is especially nice and is very new.

We saw Sen. Lamar Alexander in there eating at the table right by us!   We next went to Garrison Park which is a fun playground. It has a splash pad, but while it was warm today it was not hot enough for water play.      Garrison Park is phenomenal. The kids loved it.  

Above: Mia hangs on the swing so she can fly! 

Above: Tessa on the hammock sling 

Above

Above: Another little girl with Tessa on the hammock. Gabe looks on. 

Below: Look at that beautiful blue sky and puffy clouds! 

Below: Gabe and another little boy playing

 The kids played here for a good half hour to forty-five minutes. Finally they remembered they wanted to go to Bounce Partyz.  The place did not open until 1 pm and I think we got there around 1:30.  

    We headed over to the Crossville Outlet Mall where the bounce castles are.   It makes me so sad.   The only stores open are Bounce Partyz, the model railroad and Rack Room Shoes.  I hope they can find anchors for this shopping mall.   It was one of my favorite places.  

I did not take many photos today.  I sat down to watch the kids and chat with Crystal.   You have to be up and run around to get photos and I just wasn't feeling it today.    The kids played with other children and one another and had a blast!  They always make friends wherever they go!

         

Above: A very cute, fun little boy plays hide and seek with Gabriel and the girls.

It was boys against girls.    Gabe's friend did a bang up job of running interference.  He lured the girls away from Gabe's hiding spot and kept them busy. He then ditched them and doubled back to Gabe to hide with him!  The girls eventually caught them. I have a video of the highlights below.   It was so funny!

    

Starr Mountain Spring Wildflowers & Waterfalls 2024

 

Looking at the back side of an oconee bell bloom

Starr Mountain  Spring Wildflowers &  Waterfalls 2024

Friday March 8, 2024

Dana & Kenny Koogler

Photos are Here Starr Mountain Pix 

     Last Spring I went down toward Etowah to try to catch some flowers in bloom, but was too late. They were already spent for the year.    I was stuck trying to figure what to do this past weekend.  Kenny suggested we try to head south.   He had an unexpected Friday off so we wanted to take advantage of it.  The next day was forecast to be very rainy and cool.  He had a couple ideas of stuff we could do.  I was good with it so down the road we went.  

        I had a theory that the oconee bells I wanted to see might be in bloom. Despite being in Tennessee they were supposed to have been transplanted from elsewhere many years ago.  I knew from friends photos that the oconee bells were in bloom in South Carolina.   Maybe they'd be in bloom in East Tennessee now as well?  I figured it couldn't hurt to check.     Last year even though I missed the flowers in bloom it provided me with a chance to begin a systematic botanical inventory of Starr Mountain.   It also proved to be a fruitful day in turning up a couple new waterfalls to us!  The scenery was lovely and we enjoyed it so much. 

        I let Kenny sleep in and we got going at a leisurely pace.   He surprised me with one of his plans. He asked me to check on my phone to see if The Farm House Restaurant was open in Etowah?    I looked and they were.  He suggested we go have some lunch before we went hiking.  I was happy with that. I'd heard so much boasting from Jared and his friends about how good this place was.  It is an area destination!  Everyone loves The Farm House for meals.   I did NOT know Kenny Koogler had already been without me.  👀   

Below:  Front porch of Farmhouse 

Below: Welcome flag on the porch.  My kind of place!  Country! 

Above: merchandise at the front counter and cash register in the restaurant 

Below:  More of their decoration up in front of the place. 

Above: You can look straight back in this view to the additional large dining area.  

Above: Cell phone shot of the dining area around us.  

Below: Kenny across from me at our table.  This restaurant is one we first became aware of when our son was at Miracle Lake getting recovered.   Hearing him tell about going there after church with his buddies really blessed me.    It was some of the first healthy, wholesome things he began participating in.  Farmhouse Restaurant will forever have a special place in my heart because of this. 

  Kenny had barbecue with macaroni and cheese and green beans. I had a house salad with a baked potato.  Their sweet tea is silky smooth. Perfection!    We enjoyed it and went on the rest of our adventure with lots of energy.    We were in and out of there in the time it takes to go to McDonald's, but with a wholesome meal that is NOT fast food!   If you haven't tried this place you should!  I almost hate to tell people about it. If I go the next time and find it covered up busy I will feel like I should have kept it secret, but it is far from a secret.   It is well known and loved. 

        We headed to Mecca Pike to begin our adventure.   On our way I did keep watch for wildflowers, but since we covered this ground in early April last year I didn't expect to see much.  We didn't see any wildflowers at all along our route.   The road is rougher than last year and more rutted out.    At least it was not muddy.   The first thing I saw with any color was periwinkle blooming near the site of the former White Cliffs Hotel.    I also learned today that the hotel did not sit where I believed it did. It was opposite of that area.  Down over the mountain side by about 200 feet is the spring where they got their water.       

      I did see a few trout lilies this season.  The ones here are very tiny and seem to have more reddish brown coloration than most others I've seen.  They are the Dimpled Trout lily variety.    

Above: close up view of trout lily

Above: Trailing arbutus was along the roadsides and in the forest.  It was such a pretty pink.   It was one of the few flowers in bloom. 

Below:  The black water of a swamp atop the mountain.   This flat, sandstone mountain is an oddity.  

Above; Beautiful clear stream of water flowing. This creek flows year round.  I've never seen it dry up.

Above: another cluster of trout lily blooms.  They weren't more than a few inches high.

  We kept looking as we went along. Nothing in bloom to speak of, but I did find my oconee bells I'd hoped for.    They were done last year. This year they were just getting started good.   These are globally rare and endemic to a few locations primarily in Western North Carolina and upstate South Carolina. 

The three photos above are oconee bells blooming. (Shortia galacifolia ) They are so delicate and beautiful! 

 

 We proceeded toward the rest of our route. We knew there wouldn't be much blooming besides the few things I'd  hoped to find.   We'd go see some waterfalls on the rest of the journey to fill up the day.

Recent rains have our streams flowing wonderfully!   

Below:  a partial view from the road off of Starr Mountain. It was sunny one moment, gloomy the next.  This pattern was repeated all day. 

Below:  Yellow Creek near a "camp site" that was very trashy. I'm not sure it is actually a legal campsite. 

Below: a layered cascade near the campsite.  It is about 12 feet high.  

Above:  a lovely hole of water and powerful cascade just below the first one.  Yellow Creek was one pretty cascade after another today! 

Above: Upper, upper Yellow Creek Falls.   

Below: a side view of it and the jade green water hole with it. 

Below: Ellis Branch Falls is a roadside beauty.  

I am pretty sure this waterfall is on private property, but there is nothing that says I can view it from the road.   

  

 We eased down toward the Hiwassee River and Reliance.   Kenny initially wanted to stop at Webb's store and get ice cream, but thought better of it.   We motored onward. I checked the areas along the road where I'd seen flowers last Spring. Not much out yet.  I will have to head back down there once things start blooming good if I get the chance.   I did not bother to hit up a lot of areas in the core of Starr Mountain because there was nothing blooming April fifth of last year. I knew full well there wouldn't be anything out this early.

         Below is a video of the various cascades we visited on Starr Mountain today.  

    

Notes to Self for Future Trips

Get video of Hiwassee River and Railroad bridge 

Get photos of the old store building along Mecca Pike

Located White Cliff Hotel site and spring down over the mountain

Take RZR and cross Sheehan Branch to look for additional waterfalls 

Webb's Store for a popsicle and a t shirt

Drive Spring Creek Road to see cascades and wildflowers

Stop by Starr Mountain Outfitters for a Bigfoot shirt

Lowry Falls

Left Prong Falls

Reliance Fly & Tackle

Towee Creek Picnic Area 

Check for T flexipes on the slopes near river

Spring Branch Falls

Water Tank Branch Falls

Stairway to Heaven and Bluffs view