Our Trip To The Smokey Mtns

[Cut_un]

Sounds like a great trip! Hope to get out there later this year! Have a safe trip!!? We leave in the morning for a week" instate"😉

[Santabobswife]

Originally Posted by Teamfour

Please report back on your stay. We are going there for the first time in October. Thx.

Will be happy to.

[Wolverine 1945]

[QUOTE=Gripper;1226392]

Originally Posted by EDABEUT

We made it down to Gatlinburg last night. Long drive yesterday. Got caught in construction north of Knoxville for 1 1/2 hours. Arrived at the campground at 8:30. Easy drive a lot less wind and not much traffic. TT is towing great through the mountains. Jellico pass was 65 mph a/c and cruise on and rpm's at 3500. Not to bad. Love passing all the semi's going uphill. We are staying at Twin Creek RV Resort for the week. Very nice place. Campsite right on a creek.

Nice, did that trip two years ago from Windsor, Ontario. Michigan roads sucked then guess they still do!!! We stayed at adventure bound little further out of Gatlingburg then twin creek. How do you like that campground it sure looked nice from the road? We are thinking of going back, while adventure bound was nice we always like to try different parks. Lots to do in Gatlinburg Enjoy

The roads in Michigan are getting some what better,,, seams the roads in the north are in much better condition than is the southern part of the state,,, I believe it is do to a lot less truck traffic,,, I94 is bumper to bumper big rigs headed West,,, an offer lot of them are from Canada !!!
And I94 is way to small for all the trucks that drive it !!!

[EDABEUT]

Did the tourist thing on Monday walking around Gatlinburg. Drove into town and it was really busy. $10.00 to park so we drove back to the cg. This cg is on the trolley route so we jumped on it and headed back to town. Did the taste testing at Ole Smoky Moonshine and had to buy some to take home. Way to crowded for my liking. Yesterday drove out to Cades Cove. Beautiful place but also crowded. Had a 1 hour traffic jam for a bear sighting. Mother with cub crossed road just a few cars up from us. We then drove to Townsend for lunch and drove the Foothills Parkway down to Tail of the Dragon. That was a fun drive. Gave the truck a good workout. Heading back I run over someone's muffler hanger in the road and got a flat tire just in time for a major thunderstorm to start. Changed the tire in the pouring rain with lighting all around us. The little creek behind us at the cg turned into a raging river in about 10 minutes last night. About 2 feet higher and we would have been washed away.

So off to get the tire fixed this morning and then drive down to Newfound Gap and hike the Appalachian Trail just so we can say we did it. I will post some pic's later.

[Wolverine 1945]

It sounds like a really Great place,,, other than maybe to many people,,, and the cost does look a little high,,, to bad the CG in the park don't have ele,,, and not sure if they have dump stations ???

[EDABEUT]

Here's a pic of the campsites here. All paved fhu sites with these crazy benches and really small tables. Would recommend Twin Creek CG to anyone looking to stay in area and want this type of CG. Being on the trolley route is a major plus. They have 8 trolley's that will take you anywhere from Gatlinburg to Dollyworld and Pigeon Forge. Only 50 cents a ride.
Also a couple pic's from yesterday's drive. I see why they are called the Smoky Mtns.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Santabobswife

We stayed there last year. It was very nice and quiet. We had a spot in the shade next to the creek.

X 2 on the quiet and shade. Also we must have hit it just right not to busy either and not much traffic. Later RJD

[Wolverine 1945]

Probably got to get there while the kids are still in school !!!

[Steeljag]

I believe Cade's Cove in the past opened an hour early for cyclists. Does anyone know if they still do ? Yes, there are some hills, but the quietness and views must be incredible!

The last few times we were there has been in December, so we were without bikes.

I liked that area much better prior to it being paved! But still a very nice area!

Update - Cycling and foot traffic only during the summer months until 10am !

[EDABEUT]

They close the Cades Cove loop Tue and Sat mornings from 7:00 till 10:00 am for the bicycles.

[18CrewDually]

Originally Posted by EDABEUT

Here's a pic of the campsites here. All paved fhu sites with these crazy benches and really small tables. Would recommend Twin Creek CG to anyone looking to stay in area and want this type of CG. Being on the trolley route is a major plus. They have 8 trolley's that will take you anywhere from Gatlinburg to Dollyworld and Pigeon Forge. Only 50 cents a ride.
Also a couple pic's from yesterday's drive. I see why they are called the Smoky Mtns.

Looks nice. We want to try a different place next time. We always end up at Pine Mountain RV Park in Pigeon Forge.

[EDABEUT]

Got the tire fixed yesterday. Took most of the morning. We then headed up to Newfound Gap and walked the trail a short distance. Sign said 1920 miles to Maine. I don't think so. Did see a lot of hikers. Then drove to Clingman's dome. It just quit raining and we were above the clouds so could not see anything. You are suppose to see 7 states on a clear day and are at the highest point in Smokies. Bummer it was so cloudy. Still a lot of traffic in park.
No new pic's yet. Off to Laurel Falls and the Roaring Fork motor nature trail. Heat wave is hitting here today 90+ so we'll see how much hiking we do.

[5picker]

One quick note on the parking in Gatlinburg... forget the $6-10 parking lots.
Drive one block off the main drag in either direction and there are always places to park for FREE.

[spock123]

Originally Posted by EDABEUT

They close the Cades Cove loop Tue and Sat mornings from 7:00 till 10:00 am for the bicycles.

The best way to see the Cove is walk it, it's only 11 miles


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[spock123]

A pretty place to visit in the park is Cataloochee Valley, there is free roaming elk there. If you are really brave there is another way down the mountain. The road is I think 40 miles long and top speed is 20mph but it's pretty and you hardly ever meet anyone else on the road. At the back of Cades Cove is a road called Parson Branch road and it brings you back to Deals Gap better known as Tail of the Dragon. I have walked the Appalachian trail inside the park, it's only 70 miles


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[EDABEUT]

I asked and they said the road down to Deals Gap from the cove was closed. The Foothills Parkway was a beautiful drive thou. Not sure we could walk the 11 mile loop let alone the 70 mile trail thru the park. Had a mother bear and cub in the cg yesterday morning. Did not stay long when the first dog barked. We did hike up to Laurel Falls yesterday. Nice 3.5 miles. Seemed like it was uphill in both directions. Pic of the falls below. We then drove the Roaring Fork nature trail out of Gatlinburg. It is a one lane road along the side of the mountain. Almost to narrow in some spots. Had to fold my mirror in to get by huge rocks along side road. DW was very nervous but enjoyed the drive. Pic below of truck on road at a wide spot. and one from Newfound Gap. Off to see the Old Mill in Pigeon Forge today.

[Santabobswife]

Originally Posted by Teamfour

Please report back on your stay. We are going there for the first time in October. Thx.

we have loved it. Kids and dogs playing in the two creeks. Some sites are a bit close but ours was wonderful. Site 15. There are so many hardwoods, it should be beautiful for you in October. Couldn't quite recognize some of them, but it seems there are lots of black walnut trees. I had to google. Found out they are related to hickory. The front has paved road with gravel sites/pads the back is gravel. It is slate gravel so not too dusty. You probably know there is no playground or swimming pool, but that is not a problem for us. It didn't seem to be for the kids here either as they were playing in the creek, fishing , riding bikes and having old time fun. The folks keep it nice and clean and well managed. We will definitely come back when we come up this way.

[Teamfour]

Originally Posted by Santabobswife

we have loved it. Kids and dogs playing in the two creeks. Some sites are a bit close but ours was wonderful. Site 15. There are so many hardwoods, it should be beautiful for you in October. Couldn't quite recognize some of them, but it seems there are lots of black walnut trees. I had to google. Found out they are related to hickory. The front has paved road with gravel sites/pads the back is gravel. It is slate gravel so not too dusty. You probably know there is no playground or swimming pool, but that is not a problem for us. It didn't seem to be for the kids here either as they were playing in the creek, fishing , riding bikes and having old time fun. The folks keep it nice and clean and well managed. We will definitely come back when we come up this way.

Thanks for the report! We can't wait to go there.