For some reason the Park and topo maps have it listed as Duds Creek, but Coy Ogle's dad use to live up that creek and Coy called it, Dad's Creek. Let's Go.
This is really the only time of year that you can hike into this area because of the horse stables business across from Gatlinburg-Pittman High School in what is called "Big Dudley". Maybe you have taken a horse ride around the bottom loop, but Dudley is made up of several loops. Over 12 homes were in this area at one time before the park an…
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Added by Mike Maples on December 10, 2009 at 11:15am —
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It's the old days and your in Sevierville and ask, "Which way to Middle Creek?" Well, then someone would say, "Which One"? Time for a little history hike and drive to them all. Let's first start in Big Greenbrier.
If you lived in the Brier before the Park was formed you would be living along the East Fork of the East Fork of the Little Pigeon river. At the main bridge inside the Brier, where you turn to Ramsay Cascade trails, this was called the "Left Prong". Porter's Creek was the "Right Prong…
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Added by Mike Maples on December 8, 2009 at 1:41pm —
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For all you out-of-towners who visit the Smokies you most likely drive through the Alderbranch Community (along highway 66 near the river) on your visits. Each key section of any county has it's roots from one or two family groups and Alderbranch is no different. He is Thomas Atchley (1755-1836).…
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Added by Mike Maples on December 4, 2009 at 1:43pm —
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Re: Greg's post about cemeteries and those questions, I though you would enjoy a historical look at this old cemetery.
First about being buried inside the Park. For those who were born inside the park (like my Mother) she can be buried in some of the older cemeteries where her ancestors are buried (like Greenbrier). These older cemeteries are off limits otherwise. But, for some of the more modern cemeteries (Elkmont), then you only need to be direct kin of someone born inside the park. Other fa…
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Added by Mike Maples on December 4, 2009 at 12:08pm —
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This blog is not only about my total interest in knowing history behind a cemetery and the folks who are buried there, but what turned out to be a great adventure. To know the history of the early settlers of the Smokies you also have to know their past. Many of our early settlers also lived in other East Tennessee counties before they sat foot in the Smokies. I was doing some research within Grainger County and was having a hard time finding "old folks in the know" who could help me with lost o…
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Added by Mike Maples on December 2, 2009 at 12:15pm —
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We continue our visit to Sevier County and the Smokies in the 1850's in this blog.
Let's start with the families living along the lower areas of Jones Cove and back towards today's New Center Community. We find the Bryant, John and William Breeden (spelled Breeding back then) working farms with their neighbors John and Henry Hurst clans. Joseph Webb and George Loveday live close by along Dunn's Creek.
Archibald Trotter family is living along Flat Branch near today's Douglas Lake on the Newport…
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Added by Mike Maples on November 30, 2009 at 1:57pm —
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I know many of our GoSmokies members love their cameras. We have folks, like myself, who take 40 shots and find one that we like that turns out pretty nice. Then, we have members who are real camera pro's who can make almost any pic look great. But, where to go for those great mountain water shots? So, I thought I list some of my spots for these shots. Some are easy to drive or hike and others require some tough hiking.
I like waterfalls, but also like just sections of rivers that can create so…
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Added by Mike Maples on November 29, 2009 at 12:14pm —
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Let's take a hike along the North side of the park today and explore an area close to the Old Settlers Trail. Drive up 321 between Gatlinburg and Cosby, then go past Big Greenbrier about another 5 miles till you reach Texas Lane at the animal vet/hospital above the golf course. This is about a mile before you reach Jack's Market. Be sure and ask permission to park and we will start our hike at this spot. Straight across 321 we enter the park along an old trail and rock wall about 40 yards into t…
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Added by Mike Maples on November 23, 2009 at 12:49pm —
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Today's cold morning reminds me of some of my winter hikes close to where I use to live. I liked to explore this area only when we had some light snow above 3,500 feet. Nothing gets you more excited to go snow hiking then when you wake up and see the top of the mountains in white.…
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Added by Mike Maples on November 20, 2009 at 12:10pm —
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Well, maybe you folks will enjoy some old mountain news today. Just some of the stuff I've gathered over the years and let's start with an old campground that maybe you didn't know about in the Smokies.
At one time in the Brier we had another park campground besides #31 and #32. Well, of course in the old days just after the park was formed folks camped out along the river bottoms anywhere between the ranger house and the bridge. But, today's #31 was in a different location then where it is tod…
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Added by Mike Maples on November 18, 2009 at 1:00pm —
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I was going to write a blog about hiking up to the old Marks Creek train wreck site and decided to use some old photos to tell about the logging and wrecks in the Smokies. Using some photos I've collected over the years and adding those found from the Dept. of Conservation, Great Smokies National Park, along with photos from the Little River Railroad Museum. Special thanks to all these organizations and you should stop and visit the museum in Townsend. The Smokies had several small train acciden…
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Added by Mike Maples on November 10, 2009 at 1:14pm —
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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…
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Added by Mike Maples on November 5, 2009 at 11:48am —
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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.…
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Added by Mike Maples on October 21, 2009 at 2:08pm —
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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…
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Added by Mike Maples on October 16, 2009 at 2:25pm —
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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.…
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Added by Mike Maples on October 14, 2009 at 4:43pm —
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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?…
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Added by Mike Maples on October 12, 2009 at 9:58am —
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Well, for me it is now the official hiking season (Oct. to May) and I though we make a list of hiking resolutions for this season. Maybe, you can add something to the list that I forgot, lol.
1) I will not eat any spider webs this season.
2) I won't tell any heavy kids on the way down from the Chimney's that there is a coke machine and bathrooms on top.
3) I promise to tell the truth when coming down the trail...when someone asks how much further?
4) When I get in the "Ugly" I will find and use…
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Added by Mike Maples on October 4, 2009 at 11:30am —
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Today I was out playing in those woods again when I heard a strange bird sound on the ridge. First, I though maybe an owl was making this cooo...cooo purring sound. Maybe a grouse. But, I crept up through the woods quietly and suddenly I saw it.
Then, I heard another one back over my s…
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Added by Mike Maples on October 1, 2009 at 8:51pm —
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No need for today's photo of this spot. At this barn is the exact location of today's Sugarlands Visitor Center. It's a view back up New Found Gap Road. How times have changed.
Thanks to Bonnie Myers for this photo. The barn belonged to Bruce Keener at the time.
Then, lets go up on top o…
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Added by Mike Maples on September 29, 2009 at 2:03pm —
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Little Dudley has a very little cascade and we can loop a nice hike off Roaring Fork Nature Trail road as well, so let's go. Most folks have heard of Dudley By-Pass if they been to Gatlinburg enough times. We have Big and Little Dudley creeks that flow off Round Top and Grapeyard Ridge across from the Gatlinburg Pittman HS. These creeks come together at the riding stables and then continue on down 321 near the Baptist Church and take the old gap to the river. Families that use to own this land p…
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Added by Mike Maples on September 27, 2009 at 11:34am —
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