When you don't want to waste a beautiful fall day doing chores or staying in the house, hiking in a wilderness area satisfies the soul. On short notice we headed to the Sampson Mountain Wilderness of the Cherokee National Forest outside Greeneville, TN. Our destination was Squibb Creek Falls, a 5-mile round trip. We were forewarned that we were facing at least 12 creek crossings requiring rock hopping.
When we arrived, a large llama trek passed us heading up the forest service road. 
We had never hiked the Squibb Creek Trail to the falls, so we were looking forward to exploring an area new to us.
The trail's beginning was wide and gently climbing. That would change soon.
We crossed 3 solidly built bridges with this structural design. Unfortunately, they were early in the hike before the terrain and creek crossings became quite challenging. But, of course, the wilderness designation of Sampson Mountain Area requires little trail improvement or maintenance. Perhaps that is why we saw only one couple with their dogs and no one else on the trail.
Carved out of a portion of the national forest is a piece of private property with an A-frame situated at the edge of the creek. Lovely spot! We have hiked about half mile to reach this spot.
Just past the cabin was our first rock-hopping creek crossing.
Fortunately, it was wide and shallow with lots of rocks to hop.
Several trails begin off this main trail. Turkey Pen Cove Trail veers off to our left and in 1.8 miles connects with the Middle Spring Ridge Trail which intersects with the Appalachian Trail. 
For the first mile the trail's ascent is broken with level spots.
To the left up the bank, the Middle Spring Ridge Trail begins a 3.6 mile ascent to the crest of Coldspring Mountain where it ties into the AT.
However, we continue until reaching the sign indicating the beginning of the Squibb Creek Trail. From this point, we expect a 2.2 mile upstream trek to the falls.
Except for a couple of goldenrod plants (solidago) or spent asters, we saw very few flowers in bloom along the trail, but we spotted interesting foliage such as the bloom stalk of a pink lady's slipper orchid, fruit capsules of rattlesnake plantain and a couple of cranefly orchid leaves which emerge during the fall and winter but wither when the plants bloom. Wild ginger, club mosses and ferns drew our attention.
Wild ginger, better known as little brown jugs, littered the side of the trail.
Although it was a clear, sunny and cloudless day, the forest was deep in shadow. The deep narrow valley the creek courses down remained in deep shadow the entire day.
Above the canopy we glimpsed azure blue skies and a touch of the fall colors.
An indication of the trail getting steeper is the series of tumbling waterfalls and cascades.
At one point Chris teasingly suggested that we snap pictures of this lovely waterfall and claim we've been to Squibb Creek Falls.
We began to see numerous waterfalls and cascades as we climbed higher up the mountain.
We chose a perfect day for hiking in the mountains.
Hmmm, decision time. The trail became very rocky and narrow as it climbed up, up, up. We also knew that we had 6 creek crossings within the last quarter mile before reaching the falls. Many times the creek was narrow and swift with stepping rocks/boulders far apart. Navigating the crossings became quite a challenge for us older folks.
If the cascades and waterfalls we saw on our way up was any indication of what awaited our efforts, we were eager to see the main falls.
The effort was well worth the beautiful waterfall which awaited us.
I crossed around the plunge pool so I could get an obstructed view and shot of the falls. Squibb Creek Falls resembles Margrette Falls, another lovely cascade in the Cherokee NF. The water slides down slanted rock formations creating a crooked illusion.
Chris got a closer look.
After a rest and snack, we were ready to head back down.
Upon our return to the last bridge near the parking area, we spotted a memorial. We could not determine the person or occasion the memorial intended to honor.
Nothing beats getting back to the vehicle after a hiking excursion and changing into dry socks and shoes!
We marveled at the beauty of God's handiwork in His creation.
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