It Is Not Bear Knob Anymore... It's Pete's Knob!

Hello my adoring public Pete here. I hauled the Lummox on what he calls the Super Knob Loop. It takes us over three knobs...Russell (should be Lummox), Robert and what was known as Bear Knob I changed to my knob... Pete's! I will whoop any bear who has a problem with that.

 I will say I do like the climb up to my knob, it is steep the way I like it. Well, I got about 200 pounds of dead weight to haul back. That is all Down the Rabbit Hole...bitches!

At The Roans & Down The Rabbit Hole...

Surprise BITCHES! Pete, here I am taking over these Quick Blogs from the Lummox because they are as dull as a rock. I am calling these Speed Blogs...so it is time to Go Down the Rabbit Hole!

The Lummox wanted to do an easy trail, but not me I wanted snow. So, I carried him from Carvers Gap to Grassy Ridge Bald and back. While doing this I had to cut a trail, sometimes waist-deep If I had a carrot for every time he wined I could start a restaurant. Well, that is all from the Roan Highlands, Pete out bitches!

Even More Snow & Waterfall Adventures On Mid-Appalachian Hike In CNF

On Saturday, it was even more Snow Adventures in the Cherokee National Forest (CNF) a trip to Dick's Creek Falls. I will go over, in more detail, about the lower and upper halves of this lesser-known waterfall hike. This blog is more about the hike with the Mid-Appalachian Hiking Club and getting to travel through snow. 

We started from Rock Creek Recreation Area, which is currently closed for the season. As soon as we arrived it was obvious we would see some of the white stuff. Our party was made up of seven. This was one of those hikes where I had no idea where we were going after a certain point. That was at the junction where the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail. 

We had several Creek crossings and for these Judy brought something called Feetz Pocket Wellies. She got them in England and they are pocket water boots...I got to get me some of these.  Oh and when we started going up so did the snow. At the lower half of Dick's Creek Falls, we run into a guy who had been to the upper part and told us to be careful as he fell in waste deep in the water...ouch! Oh, and there was a birds nest tucked under a ledge...nice.  

As we went towards the upper falls we actually put out orange tape to mark the trail. Once there it is also a good thing someone brought a rope as it was a little sketchy going down to the upper falls. After enjoying the four cascades and lunch we headed back up and out. There was a long uphill back to the junction with the Rattlesnake Ridge Trail. 

Once back in it we did a little trail maintenance and enjoyed a great view. Then we hiked back through the camping area and past the swimming area. Overall, it was an excellent Snow Adventure in the CNF...

As Winter Passes the Half-Way Point It Is Maple Sap Time

It is late January and that means a lot of things, but one that has become a tradition is the tapping of the Maple Trees. This is the fifth year that I have tapped Sugar Maple Trees to different degrees of success. Year one good sap, year two not so much, year three was the best season, but last year was oaky. However, this year is the first year I did everything on my own.

In the past, Dad has drilled the holes, but I did that plus washing the buckets, getting the spiles and such. So, if things don't go well I will only have one Wood Booger to blame. I will do an update blog at some point and I am also going to tap trees at the Cabin, so stay tuned...

At Upper & Lower Dick's Creek Falls

Today I went out with the Mid-Appalachian Hiking Club to Upper & Lower Dick's Creek Gap. It was a cold and snowy day.

We first got the lower falls and then cut a trail to the four cascades of the upper. I then finish the day at Go Burrito...

Waterfalls Of The Blue Ridge: Bays Mountain Falls

This will be the first of a new series, the Falls of the Blue Ridge. This will be a blog showcasing waterfalls whether you have to hike into or can drive right up too (or in one case under). So, I am going to start the series with an incredible cascade I just come across...Bays Mountain Falls. 

To find this waterfall, it is near Church Hill in Hawkins County, TN. Turn off 11W onto Goshen Valley Road like you are going to Laurel Run Park. Instead of turning towards the park go past and where River Road runs into Mountain View Road the waterfall will be on the right. It is a 30-foot fan style waterfall located on Smith Gap Creek. I will say that in Winter with the leaves down and good water flow it is hard to miss. But in late Spring or Summer, I went right past it heading up to Bays Mountain Park last June.

Bays Mountain Falls in relation to Laurel Run Park.

Go right not left.

Overhead look.

Bays Mountain Falls...

About access...I have read conflicting reports about it. One from 2006, Waterfall Picture Guide, says that it is on private land and to ask permission to walk up to the falls. This site also says you can access the top, but it is a party place and is kind of trashed (I didn't visit the top so...). The other site, Southeast Waterfall & Hiking Guide, visited the falls more recently in 2016. It says Bays Mountain Falls is on private land, but you can at least walk up to the fence at the picnic tables for a good look. 

Let me backtrack a moment.

The fence is just ahead at the picnic tables.

You will notice just off the road will be parking for two cars (with logs). It is then a short distance down a field past an American flag and cross to two picnic tables and a wooden chair. You can sit here and enjoy or you will see the fence, which you can open.  I did for a closer look and it was well worth it. All I would say is if you go beyond the fence be respectful. I even picked up trash because when you get up close you will just be amazed and don't want to see garbage around it. Oh, there is also a tree, from the right angle that looks like a face. I have visited far less impressive waterfalls that are far more popular.

Parking spots...

...flag & cross...

...picnic tables...

...the two-person seat...

...the cool tree with face & the falls...

...from this angle, it looks like Pete!

This is my opinion, but this is one of the best waterfalls in Hawkins County and one of the finest in Northeast Tennessee. So, in closing Bays Mountain Falls is a lot of beauty for very little effort.

Bays Mountain Falls
Reviewed by The Wood Booger on January 24, 2020
Rating: 4.2 Stars