Ah yes, this trip is shaping up nicely. Just tell me when to send in my
deposit. Speaking of Fontana Lake, Ken you seem to know the Park pretty well
perhaps you have heard of this. A number of years ago I took a guided boat
trip on Fontana Lake that was run by a guy who grew up in the area. He told
me there was an abandoned town in GSMNP on the north side of the lake that
had been left standing when it was cut off by the creation of the lake. He
claimed the roads were dug up and left to re-forest but the town was
standing. I have scanned old maps and looked at Google satellite photos but
have been unable to find a name or verification. Have you heard of it?
Charlie
On Tue, Oct 5, 2010 at 1:10 PM, Ken Norton <ken@xxxxxxxxxxx> 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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>
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