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Mike Maples Male Cosby, TN United States: Share

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Mike in the Brier
4 Replies

Started this vacation tale. Last reply by Mike Maples Nov 3.

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Mike Maples commented on frank and bonnie's blog post ''SMOKIES TROUBLES!!"'

THE SMOKIES ARE BEAUTIFUL and that's why eveyone comes to see them. I don't care what this Magazine says, maybe some bad press.....will keep some folks away. Good. lol.

10 hours ago

Mike Maples commented on Mike Maples's blog post 'Hiking the Park (Outside the Park)'

Adam, when you turn left on 416 from 321....the next left past the island campgrounds will take you `100 yards to it across the river. Also, the road straight across from the Greenbrier entrance will take you to the bridge as well.

yesterday

Adam Beal commented on Mike Maples's blog post 'Hiking the Park (Outside the Park)'

Mike thanks for that info. The last couple of times I went to greenbrier i have been coming down 411 and then 416 through Pittman center. I remembered you said there was some spots for that view but haven't found it. How do you get to the emmerts ...

yesterday

Mike Maples added a blog post

Hiking the Park (Outside the Park)

yesterday

Mike Maples commented on kevinumberger's blog post 'cades cove controlled burn'

Those burnt fields will now showcase some flowers that may have been a sleep for a long time.

on Wednesday

Mike Maples commented on Lizzie Unrau's photo 'Smokies 2008 632 (2)'

That's a very nice view.

on Wednesday

Mike Maples replied to Mike Maples's discussion 'Mike in the Brier'

Casey, It's only about 150 yards off of 321 to that first chimney (McMahan) place, but you don't want to walk up a 20 foot bank at the creek to start...so go back down the road towards Gatlinburg about 20 yards and walk up through the woods and yo...

on Tuesday

KathyB replied to Mike Maples's discussion 'Mike in the Brier'

Ron, you are some more boy scout leader.!!!!

on Tuesday

Profile Information

Hometown:: Smoky Mountians

My favorite thing about the Smokies:: For me its the people who lived here and those nice folks I've meet who have traveled far to visit the mountians. Also, being lost as many times as possible for that's when I find the most interesting things.

About Me:: I've been lucky enough to hike with old timers over the years who were born inside the park. These folks moviated me to research and seek out the things I now know about the mountains. My data base on Tree maker contains about 3 million names and folks from around the country have sent me priceless photos of family ties to the history of the region. I was featured briefly in National Georgraphy (Aug., 2006) as I guided the writer for several days as he researched his story. I've now posted a short film on Youtube.com (Smoky Mountains Photos) for some of my disk now available. Through my emails I'm more than willing to hike on trail or off (winter) with anyone interested in history or just having a great day. Never a bad day in the Mountains!

Mike Maples's Photos

A Fall Hike (Autumn 2009)

Added October 31, 2009 at 3:28pm 1 Comment
Fall / Winter Album

Added September 18, 2009 at 11:25am
Hummingbirds of Summer

Added September 6, 2009 at 9:50am

Mountain History Trivia

Added August 27, 2009 at 2:56pm
Mountain History Trivia

Added August 27, 2009 at 1:36pm
Flower Album Number Two

Added July 24, 2009 at 10:46am

Hiking Photos

Added July 22, 2009 at 9:25am
Water and Mountain Photos

Added July 22, 2009 at 9:16am 2 Comments
Mountain History

Added July 22, 2009 at 9:08am 1 Comment

Animals / Birds / Butterflys

Added July 22, 2009 at 8:59am
Mountain Flowers

Added March 4, 2009 at 10:29am 1 Comment

Mike Maples's Blog

Hiking the Park (Outside the Park)

No, I haven't been in the sugar jars again. The National Park owns a lot of land between Gatlinburg and Newport that most folks don't know about and have never hiked. I think it's time for one of my Jedi secrets to be known and let you locals hike these areas as well.

Where you talking about Mike? Think of the many times you have driven 321 between Gatlinburg and Cosby looking to your right at the Great Smokies. But, there is a lot of ridge top lands to the left that belong to the park across W… Continue

Posted on November 5, 2009 at 11:48am — 2 Comments

A FALL Walk (the old timers way)

The time of year for those short nice fall walks to enjoy the leaves and the cool breezes of autumn. Folks drive from short and far distances to visit the Smokies this time of year. But, when Mom talks about Grandpa taking a fall hike back up in the Brier, it seems a lot different than what most of us travel to see.… Continue

Posted on October 21, 2009 at 2:08pm — 3 Comments

Walking around Plemmons Cemetery

Had a email wanting me to talk about this cemetery inside the Brier and the history around it. So, I'll try my best and add what little I know about it. First for those who haven't been to this cemetery...I'll tell you how to get there. Drive up 321 between Gatlinburg and Cosby till you reach the river at Big Greenbrier in Emert's Cove. Turn into the park entrance and drive to the bridge turning towards Ramsay Cascades. Soon as you cross this bridge, then park and look for the old road to the ri… Continue

Posted on October 16, 2009 at 2:25pm — 3 Comments

Love A Mountain Woman Who Can Embroider

Grandma would say, "If she can't cook and she can't sew, than you need to look elsewhere my young boy", when talking to me one time years ago. Mountain women......Got to love'um. One woman I always remember sewing and embroidering is my Great Aunt Leona. Today I found some of her dollies that she gave to everyone who knew her and to family. She lived with us in my youth and died about the time I first went to college.… Continue

Posted on October 14, 2009 at 4:43pm — 9 Comments

Hiking the Trentham Loop

This is a nice hike in the fall and in the dead of winter that a lot of folks have never done, so why don't we?

The funny thing is.....this hike starts at the Park's headquarters in the Sugarlands too. We park next to the Evans Chapel Cemetery on the park road and walk back out to the main road to cross the West Prong of the river. We turn right after crossing the bridge and start up the Sugarlands trail. Hey Mike....we've been up this trail a many a time....what you talk'en about...never done?… Continue

Posted on October 12, 2009 at 9:58am — 2 Comments

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At 9:43am on October 27, 2009, Deb Welch said…: Thank you. That photo was taken back in 2006 I believe. We hit it just perfect without clouds. This was the first time I had been in about 20 years or so and it was so worth it. My husband and I are heading that way this weekend for a few days. Hope the leaves are still pretty.

At 9:20am on October 21, 2009, Scott Caldwell said…: Hi Mike,
Yeah I thought that was a really nice story too. I have always been interested in how people lived in the area that is now the park and also the transition in their lives once the park was established. I always wondered now many of the folks fared "better" once they left the area and how many had problems with the adjustment. I have tried to find some good books on the subject but haven't found too much yet.

Scott

At 1:11pm on October 19, 2009, Julie said…: Hi Mike! I think I met you before in the Greenbriar area a few years back. I was poking around with my boyfriend looking for the Greenbriar Giant. We ran into you in the parking area. I'm pretty sure of it. :)

At 8:32pm on October 18, 2009, Jerry Landers said…: Mike - I ran across your post from back in March about the Honey Cove Shelter. I remember the shelter when it was intact back in the 70's and have tried to locate it without success a couple of times in the past few years. From your post, it looks like the shelter is pretty much gone. How far up this side trail is the shelter site?

At 2:52pm on October 18, 2009, frank and bonnie said…: Hi Mike, We were in G'burg over the weekend and there was a plaque at a fountain honoring Sydney and Edna Maples. Just wondering if theyare some of your folks??

At 4:49pm on October 16, 2009, Smitty said…: Hey Mike!
I enjoy all your GREAT photos! They Really provide some enjoyment to those who love and cherish the Smokies! Keep up the GREAT work!
Could you tell me where you took the profile photo that is on your page?
Looks like it may have come from the Albright Grove Loop. Am I right?

At 3:08pm on October 9, 2009, Mike Ferguson said…: I really would like to hike this area bit would like to limit the off trail hiking. Is there another trail to the pinnacle without 2000 ft of off trail hiking?

At 2:25pm on October 8, 2009, Aaron Barnhart said…: Look forward to reading your blog. I know of some Barnhart's in Knoxville, but I don't think we're any relation. My family originally moved here from Ohio.

At 10:43pm on October 1, 2009, Randy Woodward said…: Mike
Thanks for all the information. We got back from the old Fox place this last weekend. I think we found the place where you found that may have the old Fox cemetery. Across the creek, there is a trail that goes around the side of the hill, kinda. A little piece up it, there is a flat spot that certainly isn't natural. The flat spot is about 30' x 50' maybe. We never did find the third houseplace across the creek, so I guess we don't qualify as very good at finding that kind of stuff, but this was a much better trip than it would have been if we hadn't had the information that you gave me. When I'm back in the neighborhood, I'd be pleased to buy lunch sometime if its convenient. Thanks againRandy Woodward