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Need advise on a trip down Blueridge Parkway and Smokey Mountains this October.
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Feb 26, 2017 09:09:26   #
Rob Simpson
 
Hi Bob - There are still lots of great overviews but now the park service has to be selective in the maintenance of what overlooks get cut because of budget constraints. It costs a lot of time, energy and money to have a crew maintain an overlook. It is not an environmentalist movement to let the overlooks grow back. The parkway is 469 miles long and resource managers have to make decisions which overlooks get preference. During the past almost decade there were a lot of jobs making the parks more visitor friendly including cutting overlooks, fixing the walls, roads, tunnels and infrastructure. There has been a great improvement from Shenandoah, down the parkway all the way and into the Great Smokies. There is great concern the budget is going to get slashed with the newest administration so if you have concerns write to those who make the decisions. We have written several books on all three of those parks so I hope I can help everyone appreciate and support the your national parks - America's Best Idea. I did enjoy your website images.

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Feb 26, 2017 13:18:39   #
Shootist Loc: Wyoming
 
If you are planning to be in the Ashville area make an effort to be at the Craggy Gardens overlook at sundown if possible. Watching the light go from sunlit to dusky is otherworldly with mountain ridges stretching out for what seems to be eternity.

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Feb 26, 2017 13:52:35   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
John N wrote:
Lots of nice trails, but the ones featuring waterfalls may have reduced to a trickle by October. I believe accommodation along the route is at a premium, so don't rule out dropping of the parkway to stay in local motels etc. Don't know what your budget is but I was stretching mine over a 3 month tour of the U.S.

Many viewpoints so lots of photo opportunities - take two, one to include place name of overlook / viewpoint. This was one of the best parts of our tour (possibly 2nd only to Williamsburg) and I'd suggest taking even more time than some previous recommendations. I wish we had, but Uncle Sam limited us to 3 months (subject to interviews and enhanced visa's).
Lots of nice trails, but the ones featuring waterf... (show quote)

Great advise, John! We need to really hone in on our days I think. So happy you had a wonderful visit in the USA. It does have a vast number of outstanding places to visit.
Hope you get back soon.

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Feb 26, 2017 14:20:56   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
Shootist wrote:
If you are planning to be in the Ashville area make an effort to be at the Craggy Gardens overlook at sundown if possible. Watching the light go from sunlit to dusky is otherworldly with mountain ridges stretching out for what seems to be eternity.


This will be listed with a ⭐️! We will indeed be at this place. Thank you so much! I'm getting excited already!

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Feb 26, 2017 19:19:07   #
CMH
 
I used top be very familiar with the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive from Peaks of Otter north. All beautiful and well worth travelling. Last month (January) we were driving from Nashville to Ashville and thought we would take in the Smokies by driving Rt 74 from Cleveland, TN to the intersection with Interstate 40. I would not bother to repeat it. The road runs down in the valleys for the most part and is pretty junky. Perhaps if you had time to explore around the Nantahala Gorge, you might find something worthwhile. My advice, however, would be to stick to the mountaintops along the Parkway itself. If you get near Ashville, by all means spend a few days at the Biltmore. That was a highlight of the trip, even in January.

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Feb 26, 2017 21:37:58   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
bobben49 wrote:
Take the short detore off of the Parkway to Mt Mitchell just North of Asheville. There are some great views from there1


This will be added on my list! Thanks!

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Feb 26, 2017 21:39:46   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
CMH wrote:
I used top be very familiar with the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive from Peaks of Otter north. All beautiful and well worth travelling. Last month (January) we were driving from Nashville to Ashville and thought we would take in the Smokies by driving Rt 74 from Cleveland, TN to the intersection with Interstate 40. I would not bother to repeat it. The road runs down in the valleys for the most part and is pretty junky. Perhaps if you had time to explore around the Nantahala Gorge, you might find something worthwhile. My advice, however, would be to stick to the mountaintops along the Parkway itself. If you get near Ashville, by all means spend a few days at the Biltmore. That was a highlight of the trip, even in January.
I used top be very familiar with the Blue Ridge an... (show quote)


This is exactly what I needed! We will be looking at traveling to the Nantahala Gorge. Your advise is great. UHH has amazing folks that really do help! Thank you!!!

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Feb 26, 2017 21:42:37   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
CMH wrote:
I used top be very familiar with the Blue Ridge and Skyline Drive from Peaks of Otter north. All beautiful and well worth travelling. Last month (January) we were driving from Nashville to Ashville and thought we would take in the Smokies by driving Rt 74 from Cleveland, TN to the intersection with Interstate 40. I would not bother to repeat it. The road runs down in the valleys for the most part and is pretty junky. Perhaps if you had time to explore around the Nantahala Gorge, you might find something worthwhile. My advice, however, would be to stick to the mountaintops along the Parkway itself. If you get near Ashville, by all means spend a few days at the Biltmore. That was a highlight of the trip, even in January.
I used top be very familiar with the Blue Ridge an... (show quote)


Great Advise!! Documented your ideas for a more picturesque trip! Thanks!!

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Feb 26, 2017 21:48:14   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
John N wrote:
Lots of nice trails, but the ones featuring waterfalls may have reduced to a trickle by October. I believe accommodation along the route is at a premium, so don't rule out dropping of the parkway to stay in local motels etc. Don't know what your budget is but I was stretching mine over a 3 month tour of the U.S.

Many viewpoints so lots of photo opportunities - take two, one to include place name of overlook / viewpoint. This was one of the best parts of our tour (possibly 2nd only to Williamsburg) and I'd suggest taking even more time than some previous recommendations. I wish we had, but Uncle Sam limited us to 3 months (subject to interviews and enhanced visa's).
Lots of nice trails, but the ones featuring waterf... (show quote)


John, I really thought I had responded to you, but I could not find my response. Thank you for offering suggestions. USA has a plethora of beautiful spots and this visit will be one I know I will enjoy! I am so glad you had a memorable visit! Come to Texas some time...just not in the summer. It is toooooo hot.

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Feb 26, 2017 21:52:55   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
rihart wrote:
I drove the Parkway last year from Maybry Mill to the southern end of the Parkway, then spent a week photographing highway 64. If you have time, highway 64 is definitely worth your time. Lots of waterfalls and scenics. On the Parkway one of my favorite stops was Rough Ridge. It is a little bit of a hike but not hard. Just take your time, it is worth it. I was there for sunset, third week in October, and the color was spectacular. It was even better after the sun went down as the colors simply glowed! Crab Tree Falls are worth the effort also but take much more effort as it is downhill going in and uphill coming out. But quite beautiful. One thing about the Parkway, there is so much to see that you will not be disappointed no matter where you go. Asheville a case in point. Great little city and the Biltmore if you have not seen it. Regarding reservations, I got mine a year ahead and many places were already filled.
I drove the Parkway last year from Maybry Mill to ... (show quote)


Oh my, I can't wait! Thank you, I will take your advise.

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Feb 26, 2017 21:55:19   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
quagmire wrote:
If you go during peak leaf changing season,expect lots and lots of traffic. Search internet to find peak.


Yep, I am expecting a crowd. Traffic is a way of life in our DFW area. Can't wait. Thank you.

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Feb 26, 2017 21:56:34   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
jrl11528 wrote:
There is a facebook group called "hike the smokeys" that is chock full of daily comments and pictures of hiking trails. There is an American Hiking Society guide to hiking the Smokeys available from Amazon that is very detailed. Depending on your intentions regarding the commercial attractions in Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, you can avoid a lot of that traffic and congestion by not getting off the interstate at the normal exit (I think it exit 407), but continuing on to Alcoa Highway/Smokey Mountains exit in downtown Knoxville, and end up at the Townsend end of the park. Townsend is also the nearest entrance to Cades Cove, and the trailheads for several popular hikes.
There is a facebook group called "hike the sm... (show quote)


I certainly will check this out! Thanks!

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Feb 28, 2017 23:08:39   #
tomcat
 
Spend a night at the Best Western Inn in Boone and eat at Daniel Boone Inn for dinner and breakfast the next morning. Spend some time at Julian Price lake and overlook just south of Boone on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then drive it south to Linville Falls and hike to the overlooks. Spend some time at Grandfather Mtn. From that point south to Asheville there's not much to see. So get on I-40 at Asheville, go west to Biltmore Estate. Continue southwest to Waynesville, then onward to Cherokee and northward to the Smokys

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Feb 28, 2017 23:53:07   #
bedgmon Loc: Burleson, Texas
 
tomcat wrote:
Spend a night at the Best Western Inn in Boone and eat at Daniel Boone Inn for dinner and breakfast the next morning. Spend some time at Julian Price lake and overlook just south of Boone on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Then drive it south to Linville Falls and hike to the overlooks. Spend some time at Grandfather Mtn. From that point south to Asheville there's not much to see. So get on I-40 at Asheville, go west to Biltmore Estate. Continue southwest to Waynesville, then onward to Cherokee and northward to the Smokys
Spend a night at the Best Western Inn in Boone and... (show quote)

I am already having a great time just reading the things to do! Thanks!

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