Son, you're talking about where I grew up. <g>
--Bob Whitmire
www.bobwhitmire.com
On Oct 5, 2010, at 1:10 PM, Ken Norton wrote:
>>
>> Hand-to-hand combat for tripod space. (BTW, it's Great Smoky Nat. Park. No
>> "e". Maybe it has something to do with Scotch. <g>)
>>
>
>
> Not where I'd take you. If you want to hang out in Cades Cove, then you are
> right. Tripod warfare. Even the parking lot at Clingman's Dome can get a bit
> wooly. But there are several very fine places I'd take you--one of which
> doesn't even show up on most maps and you need a guide-dog to find.
>
> Also, a lot depends on time-of-day. Clingman's Dome is just peachy at
> sunrise. I've overnighted in the parking lot many times to catch first light
> and had the place to myself. In the middle of the winter, it's also quite
> fun--but you have to X-country ski in from the pass as the road is not
> plowed.
>
> One must-do place to go in GSMNP is the eastern side. Travel east out of
> Gatlinburg on 321. Obviously, right there at Gatlinburg, you got to do the
> Roaring Fork Road. That's a must do. But continuing east take Greenbrier
> Road following up the the Middle Prong Little Pigeon River and then going of
> Ramsey Prong (hiking) to Ramsey Cascades. This is an excellent afternoon
> hike--making sure you backtime the four-mile hike back to the trailhead
> before it gets too dark. The early-evening light shines directly on the
> falls. Beautiful. The hike is a gruling uphill slog for four-miles, though.
> I had to help do a rescue of somebody caught up there after dark.
>
> Continuing east on 321 for a couple more miles, turn east at the 321/32
> junction. This is now a gnarly twisty/turny mountain road. Classic. But
> before you get far, turn right on Cosby Park Road. This takes you to a trail
> which follows Cosby Creek. This is one of the most beautiful hikes in the
> park and place to my all-time favorite (and money-making picture) in my
> files.
>
> Continuing on 32 to the east, this will eventually become Mt. Sterling Road.
> You'll want to do a bit of hiking/driving up Big Creek Park Road. Lovely,
> but....
>
> Mt Sterling Road (a GPS is of great value in this area) continues south now
> crossing a couple of ridges. It evenually takes you to the Cataloochee
> Valley. Cataloochee is by far the best kept secret of the entire park. It is
> like Cades Cove, only smaller and without the people. Cove Creek Road will
> get you back out of the park and towards I-40 and Asheville.
>
> Just north of where HWY 19 and the Blue Ridge Parkway cross is another
> special haunt. This is just west of Maggie Valley--an experience in its own
> right. Heintooga Ridge Road (which was usually impassible some parts of the
> year (closed in winter), and who knows the current state as it has been a
> few years since I've travelled it, becomes Balsam Mountain Road. This is/was
> a one-way road that punches deep into the heart of the park before it drops
> down along a rushing river which takes you back into Cherokee.
>
> And then there is the south side down by Fontana Lake...
>
> AG
--
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