Our family has a tradition of hiking during the Thanksgiving holiday. This year Grand-Dad chose Big Creek Trail up the mountain from the Waterville I-40 exit. We gathered at the parking area by 10:30 on a sunny Saturday morning.
Grand-Dad gives information about the hike. We expected to hike about 2 miles to the Midnight Hole and then beyond to Mouse Creek Falls and eventually to the bridge just past the falls where we would enjoy lunch.
Matthew's crew arrives excited anticipating a fun day.
Foundation rocks invite the boys to a jumping contest. The stones may be part of an old logging mill located in what is now the parking and picnic area.
The area was once a thriving logging community which enjoyed a general store, community center and railroad station.
Head 'em up; move 'em out!
Donning backpacks and collecting hiking sticks, we fall behind Grand-Dad who leads us to the trailhead.
As you can see the trail is a wide trail shared by hikers and horseback riders.
The trail looks like an unpaved road because it actually is an old road. It formerly was an Indian path, then a logging road and later an actual road to provide access for workers building trails in the Park.
What characterizes this trail more than most in the Smokies is the large number of boulders, some larger than small houses. Yes, always an invitation to climb!
The farther up the trail we hiked the larger grew the rocks and the temptation to conquer them.
Irresistible!
We were actually looking for the rock house, a boulder with walls and ceiling with enough room for several people at once to escape a downpour. Sadly, we didn't find the steep path leading up into the boulders.
Big Creek deserves its name! Huge boulders midstream create foamy cascades and waterfalls that require closer inspection.
When we reach the Midnight Hole, we are struck by the awesome size of the boulders and deep, deep pool.
Looking downstream we saw all sizes of rocks and boulders. Notice how white the rocks are. Moss cannot grow on rocks that are frequently scoured by raging floods, thus giving us the old proverb "A rolling stone gathers no moss."
In the summer people like to visit the Midnight Hole where they can swim and jump off the big rocks into the deep pool. Today was just too cold for a plunge!
Even in the hot summer months, the stream is icy cold.
Skipping rocks or looking for trout?
Locate the people on the rock to the right and you will get a perspective of just how gigantic the boulders are.
Snack time! All the grandchildren from ages 4 to 24 hiked the entire 5.5 miles, but little miss baby doll enjoyed being perched up high in her backpack.
Brothers preparing to scramble back up the bank to the trail.
Way downstream amid the boulders, J couldn't get a signal. Perhaps he was merely taking a picture hoping to capture the majesty of this area.
We gather to view Mouse Creek Falls which was putting on quite the show today.
Lots of water from recent rains created a magnificent series of cascades plunging down the mountain.
Decision time: do we return to parking lot or do we continue up the trail for a short distance to the bridge?
More rocks!!
Celebrate when you conquer a rock!
Bridge bound!
One blowdown was our only obstacle today but it was easily crossed.
Some of our group had already crossed the bridge and were locating good spots to eat lunch.
Also, most of the crew donned jackets and hats because of the cold air and shade.
Cousins love spending time together while parents keep a vigilant eye for danger.
Even the youngest in our family loved her freedom to explore.
Everyone scattered among the rocks to eat lunch. The smart ones sought sunny spots!
Why does a simple lunch always taste better in the mountains?
Oh, isn't he cute?!
A family portrait!
And here we are again! Zoom in to see the smiles!
Daddy will serve as pack animal down the trail.
Is there another destination we can explore?
Yes, I think Char knows the way.
Grand-Dad took a side trip from the parking lot to the huge chimney up the Baxter Creek Trail. Of course, one of the curious grandsons wanted to go even after hiking more than 5 1/2 miles! What's another mile?!
Naturally, the chimney provides another opportunity to climb! But this time some help was needed.
Reliving the hiking adventure upon return to parking area.
What an amazing day! All but 2 of the family hiked on this gloriously warm sunny fall day in a magnificent setting only our Creator God could design! Truly a blessing to spend time with family in God's creation! Yep, I am certainly blessed!
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