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Turkey Roost Rockhouse

 

I recently hiked the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, located in Tennessee near Jamestown. It’s off the beaten trail, and known for it’s…

Awesome Geological Structures

It also has black bears living in the canyon – see earlier post. Most of all, however, the sandstone cliffs provide a spectacular visual experience! One of the first areas hikers encounter along the trail is the Turkey Roost Rockhouse:

Home Decor

If you’d be interested in a print for your home – or office, lobby, cafeteria – then visit my gallery at Pixels. You’ll find many options available (framed, canvas, art, metal, wood and acrylic). And, select features allow you to customize it to make it your own!

More

I’ll be posting more photographs from the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area in the days ahead – there’s so much to see, so stop back often!!!

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Visitors can take advantage of these offers, on sale today –

  • Society 6 – save 25% off everything
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Offers valid for a limited time only…

Close Encounter With Bears

 

I recently hiked 7 miles at the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area, near Jamestown, Tennessee – more about that in the days ahead. This post recaps two instances in which I encountered bears along the trail.

Highlights: the park offers scenic overlook areas of the canyon, substantial sandstone cliffs, interesting geological structures, and a canopied forest trail system.

Bear No. 1

Have you ever had the feeling that you’re being watched? That’s exactly how I felt as I approached a small stream at the base of the canyon. I had the sense that something was out there, and so I stopped to survey my surroundings, keeping still to remain quiet. I didn’t see or hear anything. Here’s a picture of the stream, which I photographed on my return:

The trail followed the stream, slowing gaining elevation with distance. I was at a point approx. 15 feet above the stream when it happened – an adult male black bear easily more than twice my weight (235 lbs.) had snuck up on me and was within 30 feet. This was, no doubt, the source from which I had pondered moments earlier. It was a shocking sight, to say the least.

I stopped moving and wondered what was next – should I turn back in the direction from whence I came, attempt to climb a tree (which was problematic – these trees were tall, without low branches), remove and unzip my backpack to acquire a knife, or begin making noise (I can whistle really loud!)?

I instead opted to remain still, concluding that the bear was aware of my proximity and deemed that I wasn’t a threat – an easy posture to assume, given a girth of 500 lbs.! Watching for a few minutes, it was clear that the bear was undertaking his daily savaging for a meal routine, shifting rocks in the stream to un-house potential sources of food. This was in fact what first alerted me to the bear – the sound of rocks being moved.

When I regained my composure, I took this video and followed the bear from along the trail, staying back a distance while attempting to remain less conspicuous behind trees:

The large rock casually moved around by the bear in this video probably weighs at least 100 lbs.. Glad he didn’t charge at me!

Bear No. 2

I saw another bear higher up – on the trail along the ridge – which was either a female or adolescent estimated at 300 lbs. or less. As I was walking and watching the ground so as to not roll an ankle, I happened to glance ahead and see a bear on the trail – looking directly at me.

This bear was probably 60 feet in front of me, and, when we made eye contact, took off like a bat out of hell racing downhill through the forest on an estimated 30-degree slope. I was truly amazed at how fast it bounded down the hill!

More To Come

I’ll be posting more information and photographs of my hike at Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area in the days ahead… stay tuned!

Hen Wallow Falls In The Smoky Mountains

 

Walking through a hemlock and rhododendron forest, I’d rate the hike to Hen Wallow Falls as moderately difficult. This 90′ waterfall is situated in the Smoky Mountains along the Gabes Mountain Trail, taking between 3-4 hours on a 4.2 mile round trip.

Because conditions on the trail are often rocky – or, covered extensively with tree roots – proper footwear is very important! More than the knees or calves, it’s always my feet which are most sore the next day, having hiked over such uneven surfaces:

Several signs are posted along the trail to help hikers find Hen Wallow Falls –

Footbridges allow hikers to keep dry while crossing over several small streams –

Here’s some enjoyable landscape scenery you’ll encounter along the trail –

Finally, Hen Wallow Falls

Prints

You may not live near the Smoky Mountains, but you can nevertheless enjoy nature from your home or office with a print of Hen Wallow Falls. Please visit my gallery at Pixels to review several pleasant photographs from my hike.

Video

Thanks for stopping by!

Ozone Falls State Natural Area

 

Welcome

Situated on the eastern edge of the Crab Orchard Mountains on the Cumberland Plateau, in Cumberland County, Tennessee, Ozone Falls is the third tallest waterfall in the state with an elevation of 110-feet. And, after splashing into the plunge pool, Fall Creek disappears underground – like magic! Approximately 30-feet away, however, the creek re-emerges from under several huge boulders, at a lower point downstream.

I visited the falls following a day of rain. As such, I encountered many slippery rock-surfaces along the trail down into the gorge. Hikers should use caution – walking sticks are a good idea – and appropriate footwear is strongly recommended!

Photography

Here are some photographs from Ozone Falls State Natural Area –

Prints

Perhaps you’d enjoy one of my photographs in your home, or office? If so, then please visit my gallery at Pixels to select a print type to suit your interests.

Video

From the base of Ozone Falls, near the plunge pool –