Have you found fun places to hike, go
fishing,
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Cataloochee |
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My family drove for about 1.5 hours (from Granny
Squirrel) to the eastern-most tip of the Great Smoky Mountain National
Park to a place called Cataloochee. It is an old historic settlement.
They put 25 Elk into this area in Feb. We were fortunate to see four of
them clustered together and eating the leaves along a tree line
bordering a meadow. I learned today that one of the cows gave birth the
day we were there, the first in 100 years!
The old remaining settlement is not as extensive as Cade's Cove but has no crowds and is much quieter and very peaceful. We hiked on a flat trail along a beautiful wide stream and saw massive virgin type trees. To get there, take highway US19 east (past Maggie Valley). to US276n. Go a few miles to the park entrance.
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Wayah Bald |
| One of my wife and my favorites is a scenic view that seems to go on
forever called Wayah Bald. The Appalachian Trail crosses the bald,
which is well maintained and includes a rock, two-story tower with
easy to climb steps that allow you to see even "Farther than
Forever". It is not uncommon to meet hikers while visiting
there.
Directions: Go to Wayah Road (either from the gorge or by taking Junaluska Road from Andrews) and drive past Nantahala Lake. Take your time as this is a beautiful and scenic (and curvy) road. A few miles beyond the lake is a sign that tells you where to turn (left) onto a gravel road. This gravel road is about five miles long and we have found it to usually be in decent shape. At the end of the road is a parking area. There is a paved path with a gentle slope which is a couple of hundred yards long and ends at the bald. There are public restrooms (outhouses?) beside the path.
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