Sams Creek Manway

above: pioneer junk.. an old wash tub lying about on the manway

Sams Creek Manway

Kenny & Dana Koogler 

 Sunday Nov 16 2025

 We had quite spell of sickness the past two weeks. Plans blown to smithereens for our 41st Wedding Anniversary.   None of what we had planned took place.   Despite all that by Sunday Kenny was finally well.  We were able to attend worship service at our home church Rocky Branch Baptist.    We went home after to have lunch, rest and see what we'd make of the rest of the day. The weather was beautiful. Clear and crisp with the temperature seventy degrees at the house.    Kenny asked me if I'd like to go over to the park to take a stroll?  I was happy to hear him say it.     I'd had more than enough being cooped up.   

     We went over to Tremont around 3:30 p.m. to find plenty of parking at the road's end.

Still a fair number of hikers out and fishermen, but not a terrible crowd.   I still wasn't in the mood for a bate of hikers so we chose Sam's Creek instead of the main trail. It had been way too long between visits.   It was beautiful.  We got out of the truck where we parked. The holler back there was dimming by that time and the temperature was sixty-three degrees!  A little chilly with my shorts on, but I got moving and I was perfectly comfortable.  

       We encountered more fellow hikers on this manway than I ever have before.  We saw at least eight people. Six out of them were leaving as we arrived.  The last two were coming in as we hiked out.    We ended up hiking a bit further than we'd thought. Kenny was so fatigued on Friday that just being out for a little over an hour to eat at McAllister's did him in.   I did not want to press our luck by going too far.   We enjoyed the pretty scenery, fallen leaves, little bit of remaining color, history, the cascades and the start of Betsy Lee's Stick Season!  

       Below: the steel I beam bridge over Sam's Creek

above and below: two views of spots along this lovely stream. 

Below: Kenny ahead of me on the manway with the sun still in the sky, but the gloaming has come to this holler.   The dimming of the day. 

above: old wash tub junk at Long Branch crossing. If you look closely you can see this was bridged at one time. 

above and below: looking at the rock work of the old bridge abutments and walls on Long Branch

Below:  you can see the sun and Autumn colors high up, but down lower near this beautiful stream it is darker and cooler.   It is tranquil and pretty. 





Last of all is a short video clip of the stream and some mournful music that sets the mood for the place.  The music is Autumn Stillness by Violin Sky

  I cannot hike back here without thinking of Big Will Walker and his many wives. Two of which helped him bear the children that led to me having ALL FOUR of my grandchildren!  

I hope when I get to Heaven he is one of the first people I get to see to thank him.  God is great every single day.  His wonders to perform! 

Big Creek Backpack--This Party Sucks! I'm Outta Here!!

Big Creek Backpack Trip--This Party Sucks! I'm Outta Here!

Saturday Sept. 27, 2014

Dana Koogler

   My original plan was to backpack Saturday morning up to CS 37.  I would take photos of Midnight Hole

and Mouse Creek Falls along the way.   I would set up camp once at CS 37. I would empty my pack of all non essentials. The hike to the campsite is 5.8 miles.  It is another 1.8 or so to Gunter Fork Falls.
Gunter Fork Cascade is on the way and it is a pretty 10 ft falls.  Gunter Fork Falls is a 150 ft waterfall.

I had only been to it once and it was very beautiful.   It was a neat experience shared with a good friend.

I wanted to visit it again.   I would put up with the suck factor of Big Creek Trail to reach it.

       I found out Friday night when I saw Casey Marcum's photos from a day or so earlier that 

Gunter Fork Falls was pretty much a wet rock with a slight trickle at the top of it.   The bottom part was only damp.  I tried to convince myself to go ahead.    I would just make the best of it. I usually can manage to 

find something good about a place.  I would not bother going up to the falls because it sure was not worth it.

Bob Carr was supposed to be in the area. Perhaps I'd run into him and that would be good.

I would modify my route and get in some new trail miles.  

         I got over there and the day was beautiful.   Big Creek is a popular destination and there are 

always tons of people. I finally found a place to park.  I set off down the trail.  I got to Midnight Hole.

The light for photography was dreadful.  Two other men arrived and one got in to swim.  

I sat down to eat lunch.  More and more people began showing up. My mood was abysmal. 

I wanted to turn around and go home.  I convinced myself to make it the 1/2 mile further to Mouse 

Creek Falls.   I got there and took a few snapshots.   I was only alone there for a minute or two until

more people arrived.   I was over it.   I decided since no one was holding a gun to my head to force

me to continue I would not go further.   I tried my best to shake the bleak mood I was in.  I was 

overwhelmed with sadness. I just wasn't feeling it.  The place was crawling with people.  

       I was overwhelmed with memories of past trips and not all of them good.

I was worn out with the inconsiderate, dumb shit people do.   I hate this trail. I won't be back on it

until it is absolutely necessary.   Too many people. Lots of horse shit.  Not enough to see to make it

worthwhile.   

          I went home.  I prayed the Lord would help my mood improve.  I called Kenny to 

let him know I was coming home.   I went home and got in the hammock on the back deck.

The sky was blue and pretty.   I took a nap and it was quieter in my back yard than it was in the Smokies front country.  I realize people make mistakes and life isn't always perfect. I just don't want to 

watch you try to take your precious year and a half old baby up a steep dirt ditch in an umbrella stroller.

What is wrong with you?   I really do get the suffer no fools.. quarter no mules thing. The mules I can forgive a lot quicker than I  can the dumb people. 

Mouse Creek Falls

Midnight Hole

    

        

This party sucks! I'm outta here!