Відео

Thanks bikhills. I’m rallying back from my health problems and hopefully will be going strong for the winter off trail season. I’m pumped up for it! Laurel Fork, Station Camp, Parch Corn and No Business Creeks will all have water. I wouldn’t count on any water sources up near the ridge tops though. You’ll have a great hike I’m sure. BSF is so gorgeous in the fall. It’s very underrated for its fall colors! Take care and be safe on your hike!

I can only imagine how beautiful a place it was back in the day. I wish I could go back in time and see it as it once was. That hill was my first real test since I had my heart procedure. I passed it! I’ve since hiked almost 7 1/2 miles and came up the hill from Charit Creek. I did fine with that one too. I’m on the comeback trail Chris! It’s going to be a great winter of hiking. I already have a bunch of plans. I’m just happy to know I can still get out and do it some more. Take care Chris, stay safe and healthy.

@@papawinthewoods my Mom said all the bottom land was cleared farmland. She remembered walking through the fields and seeing arrowheads everywhere.

Good to see you out. Know what you mean about hills, being in middle South Carolina most of the year has gotten me lazy on hills. I'm hoping to get a lot of hiking in this fall. I have hip replacement surgery scheduled Nov 5th, but I'm considering pushing it out to Dec. I've been postponing it since Oct 2019 😅 pray you keep getting your strength back daily. Happy hiking. 🥾🥾

That post still had a flat top last year. Now it’s sharpened like a pencil. We need to get back down there this winter. There should be a couple more homesites near Ike Kings. Plus, there’s a Volkswagen Bus I’d like to locate. Thanks Kerry.

Thanks Jim. I was out of breath a couple of times but I had no issues with my heart. I’m on my way back! The otters come up these streams from the river. They’ll wipe almost every fish out bigger than a minnow. They’re tough on crawfish and bullfrogs too. Then they’ll go back down to the river. They’re just eating machines. I’ve seen a couple but couldn’t get them on video. I appreciate you my friend. Take care and stay safe.

I’m thankful that I’m on the comeback trail Tony. I easily could have had the “big one.” I had a 100% blockage, actually 2 blockages, in the main artery in my heart, yet here I am. I plan on making the most of my life from here on. Thanks for watching my videos. They’re all from my love of the outdoors. That’s where I feel my best. Take care, be safe and stay healthy.

Thank you so much Ruth. If I may ask, do you have family connections to the hills and hollows in Big South Fork? Please take care and stay safe.

@@papawinthewoods no relatives or connections to BSF, but I hike there quite a bit and many of your videos have been included in my hiking agendas. I live in Bowling Green Ky, but my family is in Tennessee so I have spent time on both sides of BSF. Just a beautiful place!

Yep, that hill was my first real test since my heart procedure. I’m very pleased with my progress. You’re absolutely right Mike, staying active is the key. At our age, if we stop now, life would definitely be shortened. I plan on hanging around for a long time! Thanks brother, take care!

I appreciate it Greg, especially coming from a great friend from our youths. I’m so happy to have dodged a more serious health issue and to be at this point in my recovery. I had an even more strenuous hike since this video. 7 1/4 miles with the steep, tough hike out from Charit Creek Lodge at the end. One of our mutual friends and a frequent hiking partner accompanied me. I was in good hands! Hopefully your recovery is such that you can join us this winter. You’d be very welcome for sure. Take care my friend, be safe and healthy.

Thank you so much Rebecca! That’s what I like to hear… lol .. These arches are in the Kentucky section of Big South Fork. I normally Google “BSF Landforms.” I don’t think DW Arch or New Salem Natural Bridge are on it. I’ll check on my gps app and get the coordinates for you. Give me a day or two and I’ll put them on here for you. I appreciate it! Take care and stay safe.

Thank you Willie. I always appreciate your support. Take care my friend.

I needed a dose of good old BSF too. It was a great day but it made me want more. Thanks Kerry. See you soon my friend.

This is my first time seeing it. It’s massive! You need to see it. Take care and be safe my friend.

I’m looking forward to cooler weather and the “off trail season” as we call it. There’s still a lot of stuff to locate. BSF never ends. You may have to work for some of the sights but that just makes it more worthwhile. Thanks Jim. Take care.

Thank you Jeremy. I try to make a loop through there in the fall when the leaves are turning. I’ll try to give it a look. Take care and be safe.

There’s nothing like locating the off trail stuff. They’re rarely seen but they are frequently incredible sights to behold! That’s what Winter is for! If you ever come to Big South Fork give me a shout. I’ll be happy to show you some of these things. Take care, stay safe and healthy.

That’s a good question… I know it’s in the hundreds. There are more to be found too. Thanks JamesRobertSmith. I appreciate it. Take care and stay safe.

Thank you Robin. I’ll be as safe as possible. Take care.

@@cindyclark9230 The stacked rocks are just past Jake’s Falls underneath the cliff line you’ll see on the left side of the trail. They are a pretty cool sight! Thank you Cindy. The temperature is dropping… time to hit the woods again… you ready? Take care!

I was caught out there when that storm hit in late May. I thought I was going to be spending the night until they got enough of the blown over trees cleared out of the road so myself and several others could get home. After almost a 7 hour wait I was very appreciative of them! Now they have cleared miles and miles of trails. Hats off to them! Take care WOY.

It’ll never look the same in our lifetimes, that’s for sure. I wonder how much damage was done over in Wolf River country. We need to make another trip over there soon. Thanks Jimmy. Take care brother.

@@papawinthewoods I'm game brother. Would guess Kerry would be also.

As bad as the storm was I never felt I was in great danger. I had a calm feeling the whole day. I do believe I had a protector looking out for me. I can’t explain it but I felt it. My Grandmother used to say “All’s well that ends well”. No complaints from me! Thank you jilletta. Take care and be safe.

I’ve never even thought about a snake being in there! I don’t know if I have ever been there in warm weather though. If I ever am I’ll now know to keep an eye on the ground! Thank you Dorothy. Take care and be safe!

I’ve been caught out in storms before but this one was just different. I could hear it coming from a good distance. Nothing to do but put on the rain gear, put my head down and hike on. It definitely could have been worse. Thank you Mike. Take are my friend.

The damage from the storm was spread out for several miles, both width and length. Indian Rockhouse is one of the bigger rockhouses in BSF but definitely not the biggest. There are several larger ones off trail that few people know about. Thanks Jim. Take care and be safe.

I actually thought for a moment about offering you a tide but I figure that’s the last thing a trail runner would want. That’s like cheating on your run. If there’s a next time wave me over if you need a break and we’ll chat a bit. Your history runs deep in the Station Camp Creek Valley. If you want to know a lot more I can put you in touch with someone who knows an encyclopedia full of information from down there. You would undoubtedly be related to him. Take care Justin. Hopefully our paths will cross again someday.

We have hundreds of thousands of acres to explore in this area. I do consider myself very fortunate to live here. I’ll never live long enough to see every place I want to see. I frequently spend a whole day out in the woods and never see another human being. I love the peacefulness and tranquility. Thanks my friend. Take care.

Big South Fork is endless. I hike off trail in cooler weather to find the hidden gems of the area. Many of them have never been documented. Those explorations are the most rewarding. You never know what you’ll find! Thanks nationalparksprincess. Please take care and be safe.

There were several Thompson names on headstones in that cemetery. I never knew about the church. Thanks my friend.

I appreciate that Greg. Take care my friend.

Yes, John Smith Road down to the river and up Bill Branch to Calista Falls. It’s well worth the climb back out of there to the trailhead. I need to get back there when there’s some better water flow. I’m just awaiting the wetter, cooler winter months for places like this. I have identified a few other places with good possibilities of locating some undocumented waterfalls. BSF still has places like that! Take care TrailHunters, be safe and stay healthy.

They repopulated the bears here about 25 years ago. They are more of an inconvenience than anything. They sure leave a mess anywhere they go. But they get rid of yellow jacket and other ground nesting stinging critters. I’m plenty happy about that at least. Thanks baneveryhing. I appreciate it. Take care!

I appreciate it NorthMissouriOutdoors. Thanks so much. Take care and stay safe!

@@papawinthewoods thanks

Thank you WOY. These old homesites are at least 150 years old. They were originally log cabins so that part of them is long gone. All I can hope to find are stone foundation stones on whe remains of a fallen fireplace/chimney. It’s there somewhere. I’ll be going back when the leaves are gone in the winter to look some more. I have been looking at some old maps and have a new lead. Hopefully that’ll work out. Take care Ladies. I do appreciate it. Hint: search “Charit Creek Lodge” in Big South Fork and see what you think. I believe you would love it there!

@@homesteadingwithsadie Thank you Robin, yes they both are gorgeous. I watched your short on the rain bands from tropical storm Debbie. You guys are pretty soggy it looks like. Stay dry, keep safe and take care.

@@hasty43 I have met Steve and hiked with him on a couple of occasions. He’s a fine fellow. He’s always chasing down more information on Big South Fork. Of course he inherited all him mother’s research and is putting it to great use. Sometimes Steve will ask me to look for something and I’m always happy to do so. That’s why I was there in this video. Even though I didn’t find the homesite I was looking for, I eliminated some places. I’ll most definitely return in cooler weather to search more. I have been studying some old maps and have a very good lead, I believe! Thank you Sue, as always. You seem to also have vast knowledge of your ancestry. I appreciate you and your expertise. Take care Sue. Stay safe and healthy my friend!

@@tylerjones2695 Thank you Tyler. Yes, the ticks are bad, they almost always are this time of the year. I have a pair of gaiters that I wear in the summer. I apply spray that kills ticks. I forget to put the gaiters on! Even without the spray they keep the tiny seed ticks from covering my ankles. I’m getting forgetful in my old age!! 🤣 BSF for sure has some rugged country and is best hiked off trail in the colder months. There are still some undocumented rock formations and waterfalls hiding in the backcountry. I love to get back there and explore! I appreciate it Tyler. Take care my friend.

@@TrailStrider909 A little excitement is always a good thing, even if it is a bit dangerous! I’m not exactly thrilled about walking up on an already coiled copperhead but I’m in its home. Thanks TrailStrider. Take care and stay safe.

@@papawinthewoods ❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯

@@jilletta1 Thanks jilletta. I know where several of those marker trees are in Big South Fork and Pickett State Park. It just never entered my mind about this one. I appreciate you pointing that out. It makes total sense now that I think about it. That ridge is the only one close where you can actually get down to Laurel Fork. All the others end with big cliffs on the end. Take care my friend.

@@karlo8093 It was a very good day Karl. But I’m not going back until cold weather comes. Yes, the little copperheads are out. I’m surprised I didn’t see more than one. I have some more places out there to check out on my search for the homesite. I eliminated a ridge today so that narrows the search area. Thanks Karl. Take care my friend.

@@BackpackingWithJason How’s the ankle Jason? When you get well I’d be happy to help you get to see Calista Falls. It’s like a smaller version of Cumberland Falls. If the video doesn’t give you all the information to find it just give me a shout. Take care my friend.

@@papawinthewoods my ankle is getting better each day. Thank you for asking. I’d love to see those Falls. Maybe one day you can show it to me. Thank you

@@BackpackingWithJason Whenever you’re healed up and would like you see it. Just let me know a little in advance and we’ll go. I’d be happy to hike there again, hopefully with a bit more water flowing. Thanks Jason.

Yeah, off trail this time of the year isn’t the best idea in the world. But then sometimes I do dumb stuff… lol … It really was a good day though. I’ll be going back to try to locate the homesite this winter. Winter is when I do the vast majority of my off trail exploring anyway. I study maps a lot and have a pretty full winter coming up. I have found some places with great possibilities of undocumented waterfalls! I can’t wait! Thank you Cocohikes. I sure appreciate it. If you’re ever in the area and need anything just let me know. I’m always happy to help folks out. Take care and be safe!

@@papawinthewoods thank you! I’m excited for fall and winter, it’s the best time to hike and explore in my opinion!

@@Cocohikes You’re right about that. I almost always have a lot of hikes planned out by the time cooler weather arrives. This year is no different. I’m extremely excited for the possibilities!

Hey Angie! I’m still alive kicking! I have to get back up there in the winter. As of this hike, Divide Road/Peters Mountain Road is still shut down in Tennessee from Fork Ridge to Three Forks. That’s why I had to drive through Pickett to Parker’s Mountain, down to Bell Farm, then up to Peter’s Mountain. The NPS won’t allow the crews to clear the debris from the late May storm when the temperatures and humidity is high. Hopefully it’ll be cleared by the time the fall colors arrive. It’s always beautiful then. That copperhead was just doing its thing. It never moved at all. I was within a step and a half from it. It just wanted its camouflage to do the job and let me move on, which I did. It lives there, I’m just passing through… There’s a big, resident male bear up there. He’s all over the place out that ridge. The worst part of the day was the hundreds of seed ticks I picked up in that field. They were awful. Another reason to hike off trail in the winter! Thank you so much Angie. I’m looking forward to October. It’ll be a great time. Please take care, stay healthy and safe!

Sometimes we see darker shades of copperheads here in BSF. Maybe it’s getting close to shedding its skin. I’ve always wondered if there are different subspecies of copperheads here but I’m no biologist. It sure had the tell tale colored head! Thanks Fire Puncher. Take care!

The danger was real and everywhere I turned! Yet, I survived to hike another day.. 😂 No, really the worst part was those seed ticks! I had to put lotion on my ankles really thick, get them to start turning loose and scrape them off with a knife. I’m still itching! It was a good day anyway. Snakes, bears and bees are all part of the outdoors, always will be. Having said that, I do believe it’ll be cooler weather, like after a good frost or two, before I venture off trail again. Thanks Kerry. Take care my friend.