Cades Cove In The Late Winter

It was Saturday afternoon, March 4, 2017, bright sun shining with a beautiful blue sky.  What better conditions could prompt a short afternoon ride.  So I donned my riding gear, pushed Redbug (Honda NC700X) out of the garage and took off.  I ran the back roads over to Walland and Townsend entering the Park from the Townsend side.  Traffic was reasonably light considering such a great afternoon.

Quickly turned off Chapman Hwy. onto Titsworth Springs Rd.  Nice rolling hills with the Smokies in the far distance.

Then another little tree/shrub lined back road for a change of scenery.

Later another turn and we're following the Little Pigeon River on one side and the Univ. of TN Agriculture site on the other.  And lots and lots of blue sky.

Came into Townsend form the Walland side and as I was leaving Townsend I passed by one of my favorite restaurants, The Riverstone.  I had lunch already or I would have stopped in for one of their Grilled Ham and Cheese sandwiches and beer battered fries.

Not far up the road you enter the Smoky Mtn. Nat. Pk. and you follow the river or stream all the way to Cades Cove.

 It is quite relaxing running this route and people often use the pull outs to take the time to "smell the roses" as they say.  In this case it's to listen to the water rushing over the rocks.

Low water this time of the year but levels will pick up once the Spring rains start.  They you'll see the kayakers and tubers floating.

Not far from the Townsend entrance is the tunnel, the only one going this direction.

In the summer it is not rare to see sunbathers laying out on the rocks taking in the rays.  And along the grassy sides of the river as well.

Wednesday mornings and Saturday mornings the Cades Cove Loop Road is closed to motor vehicles.  It is for hikers and bikers (the pedal type).  You often see them riding the roads in the Park.  Care must be taken as the width of the roadway is rather narrow and in most cases no shoulders.  Patience is called upon.

Shortly after entering the 11 mile loop road several deer are grazing.  In the background to the right are a couple of people walking out in the pasture.  Hope they remember the animals are wild, not pets.

Past the churches and on the backside of the Cove are large fields that once helped to sustain the families that lived in the Cove.

The mountains in the far distance make it appear they are way way off.  And if you were walking, they were way way off.

 They have been doing some controlled burning in the Cove the last few weeks which is a good thing as it causes new grass growth, gets rid of some unwanted brush and keeps the fuel for fires at a lower level.

It is so peaceful here in the cove.  A great place to bring a chair, a good book, and just let the body unwind, the soul be at peace and the mind in solitude.

The road is curving around an area that once had a homestead off to the right.  Winter makes the trees look like dead sentinels standing duty.  Leaves are not far off.

A nice long stretch where no vehicles are in front gives a great opportunity to shoot a pic that makes the road look as if it ends at the base of the mountain.  I'm all fenced in.

One of the many vantage points where you can take some great scenic photos of the mountains, quite often the animals and even funnier, some of the visiting people.

Ahh, the mountains.  Blue-grayish color from the rays of the sun makes a great backdrop for the pasture in the foreground.

I don't care which time of the year you come to this place, it is beautiful.

Split-rail fence and the house of a one time family of Cades Cove.  Back then work was really work.

The house, sheds and barns were not elegant but built stout and durable out of the materials they had at hand.

The storms of last year and this past winter have taken their toll on the forest of the Park.  Parson's Branch Rd. which is on the south side of the Cove was closed late last year due to fallen trees across the road or trees that were leaning over the roadway.  Due to lack of money it will stay closed all of this year as well.  It is a gravel road that 4 x 4 vehicles and bikes use.  The other end of the road comes out on the Tail of The Dragon.


Taking a last look across the pasture land at the mountains before entering the tree area.

Serenity, about all you can say about this picture.

The Cove, a gentle place most of the time but it can become quite cold and isolated depending on Mother Nature.

Well, the loop has ended and now it's decision time.  Do I take a right and stop in at the Campground Store for a treat or take a left and head back towards Townsend.  It was a right turn and then after a bottle of water and a snack carried along, I headed back to the house.  A great way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon.  Door to door, 90 miles of pure pleasure and fun.

Ever get a chance to come to this part of the country, make sure you plan a trip to Cades Cove.  And bring your camera with the intent to stay a bit.