I have been to the cove many times one of my favorite places if you are looking for some view within the cove. Rich Mountain Road is probably the best looking down on the old Methodist Church it is one way however.
New Foundland Gap 2009
Abrams Falls 2009
The Oliver House in the Cove 2009
Cades Cove (just in case you didn't know) is a road loop, it can take up the afternoon taking advantage of all the photo ops. It is the favorite place for tourists, when I went their in the fall there was actually a sort of traffic jam. It is the only really sight seeing road, the other road goes from Cherokee to Gatlinburg. Gatlinburg a beautiful town, nestled between some lower mountains right outside the park. Stay there if you can. Robert E. Lee Motel was reasonable, a balcony on the side of a mountain overlooking the town. More sightseeing at the park entrance from Cherokee side.
georgevedwards wrote:
I have taken the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia twice to look at the Great Smokies and take photos. Clingmans Dome and Cades Cove are the obvious answers. Clingmans was clouded in both times, Cades Cove was a disappointment if you are looking for the grandeur of a mountain view. Views of the Smokies may be seen from the Lake Fontana area to the southeast. There are few roads exploring the park, only one goes through it. I drove all the way around it but there were few good views of the Great Smokies. For mountain views, travel back up the Blue Ridge Parkway. I found the most spectacular mountain views from numerous overlooks there before reaching the park, they were amazing compared to the park itself. The park is good for wilderness shots mostly.
lensmanicu wrote:
Were headed there in Oct. Cades Cove and either Grotto falls or Abram's falls. Would appricate knowing your favorites.
I have taken the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia ... (
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I too have been up the Blue Ridge thru to the Sky Line Drive if your looking for mountain vistas non better, If you want the closeness to nature the cove has a lot to offer.
Can you give more detail about the Sky Line Drive? Im looking for a new discovery.
The "Skyline Drive" is the part that starts in Virginia, if you have time on your hands start their and head for the Smokies. Plan B: Start at Boone NC, I did just because my nephews live there. BUT that is where Grandfather Mt. is. Not much to look at except that it looks like an old man's profile facing the sky, which actually is something to look at! But it is deceptive, it has hairpin turns and as you approach the summit it drops off from the side of the road to infinity seemingly, it actually got my heart pounding as the pickup truck's large cab in back was being buffeted in the wind. When I got to the top the view is astonishing, there is a swinging bridge between two peaks, and on a windy day it sings with an unearthly tone... I must admit I never got to Clingmans Dome, as a child my father's car always overheated before we got there, and as an adult the truck I had was no problem but it was always clouded over. Between Grandfather Mt. and the Smokies are overlook after overlook, must be a hundred of them with endless moutain vistas on either side as you ride down the top of the Blue Ridge. When you get to the Smokies there aren't any overlooks much, Clingman's Dome if you are lucky. Great Wilderness though! I keep trying to add a photo but it won't take.
sportyman140 wrote:
Can you give more detail about the Sky Line Drive? Im looking for a new discovery.
I hikes Turkey Pen last week and there is a lot of blow down in the mountain side going in to Cades Cove but nothing blocking a roadway or any of the trails I was on.
It was strange damage and believed to be a microburst. The trees were not twisted as in a tornado but broken midsection and uprooted.
Did you notice how much damage was done in the Townsend Y, Tremont area? If the damage was restricted to mountain tops, then that might be good news for creek beds and steep banks, but if it clogged up the creeks with trees and debris, photo ops get diminished quickly. Just wondering............
pilgram wrote:
I hikes Turkey Pen last week and there is a lot of blow down in the mountain side going in to Cades Cove but nothing blocking a roadway or any of the trails I was on.
It was strange damage and believed to be a microburst. The trees were not twisted as in a tornado but broken midsection and uprooted.
What I saw was on the mountain sides along the road to Cades Cove. It was a WOW thing, look at that moment.
Here are pics of Skyline Drive I promised
Beautiful images lensmanicu, you do nice work...makes me want to take a road trip. With Fall now here I looked through my archives and found a few GSMNP taken in November. Plus while I was looking, found some from the top of Clingmans Dome taken in June. Last time I tried to reach Clingmans dome, the fog was so thick it was scary. Not only that, the fog was freezing onto everything around. Needless to say, didn't get any photographs that day.
Gatlinburg Overlook in the Fall at Dusk
Campbell's Overlook in the Fall
Morton's Overlook at Dusk
Panorama from atop Clingmans Dome
View Southeast from atop Clingmans Dome
Walkway to the Observation tower atop Clingmans Dome
Photos of that area. Finally did it! Tried a different browser: Firefox worked. Two more to follow.
lensmanicu wrote:
Were headed there in Oct. Cades Cove and either Grotto falls or Abram's falls. Would appricate knowing your favorites.
Smokies From Lake Fontana Area
View from Grandfather Mountain, NC.
Clingmans Dome Clouded Over (two years in a row)
Dont feel like the lone ranger ive been up there 4 times in last 6 years and have been there when it was clear of clouds
Do you mean it was fogged in all 4 times, or that you did see a clear day?
lensmanicu wrote:
Dont feel like the lone ranger ive been up there 4 times in last 6 years and have been there when it was clear of clouds
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