GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
October 2023
October 2023
On Friday morning we left Knoxville and headed toward the national park. We stopped for a tour of Tuckaleechee Caverns which turned out to be a very cool stop. After lunch we entered Great Smoky Mountains National Park and drove around the Cades Cove loop, stopping at the various cabins, churches, and homesteads along the way. Around sunset we drove the Roaring Fork motor trail and saw a few black bears before heading into Gatlinburg for the evening.
The next morning, we headed to the Alum Cave trailhead for a longer hike. We had perfect fall weather and great views from the top. After lunch we drove the crowded road up to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the Appalachian trail. In the evening we stopped at a cider tasting before a filling steakhouse dinner.
For the last day in the park, we went for a drive and then hiked the Middle Prong Trail. We didn't find any salamanders, but saw a crawfish and found the 100-year-old Cadillac left by the Civilian Conservation Corps. In the evening we walked around The Village shops and had a speed-round moonshine tasting at Ole Smoky distillery before a nice seafood dinner at Chesapeake's.
Before leaving on Monday, we had time for a few more stops. First, a serious Christmas store called Santa's Claus-et, then a filling breakfast from Pancake House. Finally, we stopped at the Gatlinburg Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum which displays over 20,000 sets.
© 2023 Will Krieger