Cades Cove?

[2WHEELSFORME]

Has anyone traveled the Old Cades Cove Rd. from Cades Cove to Townsend resently? It shows as being dirt or gravel part of the way and it's North only. Don't mind good dirt roads but if I come in from the East on Laurel Creek Rd will I be able to use Old Caves Cove or have to back track? On a bike not a Jeep.

[stroker ace]

Has anyone traveled the Old Cades Cove Rd. from Cades Cove to Townsend resently? It shows as being dirt or gravel part of the way and it's North only. Don't mind good dirt roads but if I come in from the East on Laurel Creek Rd will I be able to use Old Caves Cove or have to back track? On a bike not a Jeep.

 

 

 

We've not been on it since fall of 2011 very doable on a bike. Mostly paved a few areas/spots that had gravel repair type stuff more than dirt unless somethings changed. It is slick at times from tree sap, limbs etc.

[Wrench]

I've been around the Cades Cove loop a couple of times, and have taken the blacktop road near the Sugarlands Center over to Townsend. I guess I've missed the Old Cades Cove Road somewhere/somehow. I did see a note on the Tail of the Dragon website that said to watch for gravel that has washed out onto the roads from the recent heavy rains they've had. I'm really wanting to get down there this year, but work may get in the way, but I do have my reservations made for Memorial Day weekend next year.

[Bob Myers]

Have a friend who lives there, near Rich Mtn road, sent him a message, will advise what he says

[Bob Myers]

I received this from Dan this morning;

Bob, it's condition varies but I would say yes.....passable most of the time. It can be a challenge if you ride it right after a gully washer but the Park Service is pretty good about closing it if it is real bad.

I assume you know it is gravel?

 

He said nothing about it being a one way North bound only

[2WHEELSFORME]

Thanks for checking. I'm still not sure because several people over at VTXOA say it is really bad and to stay away from it. My Venture does not mind dirt and gravel, we have even forded a few small streams in the past. I guess I'll leave it up to my riding buds on a Connie Concourse and a Harley Ultra.

[Cowboy]

My thoughts on the road is that it is passable however it is not fun or relaxing on the RSV. We fought the road for over a hour never really had time to relax and enjoy the ride like you can do if you just stay on the pavement. I like you thought it might be a cool trail/road but we were disappointed. Better in the Jeep. As for it being one way well the road is only wide enough for one lane so if you did meet someone then it might not end well. Can't remember if it was one way officially. Cades Cove Loop Road is however one way.

[stroker ace]

I've been around the Cades Cove loop a couple of times, and have taken the blacktop road near the Sugarlands Center over to Townsend. I guess I've missed the Old Cades Cove Road somewhere/somehow. I did see a note on the Tail of the Dragon website that said to watch for gravel that has washed out onto the roads from the recent heavy rains they've had. I'm really wanting to get down there this year, but work may get in the way, but I do have my reservations made for Memorial Day weekend next year.

 

 

 

Parson Branch Rd. is the one that comes out on 129 aka dragon. If I get the time I will ride over and check it out Old Cades Cove rd this weekend I'm only a hour away.

[stroker ace]

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?source=s_q&geocode=&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101955358582317701561.000465f4b82d61eaeda9b&dg=feature

 

https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?source=s_q&geocode=&ie=UTF8&oe=UTF8&msa=0&msid=101955358582317701561.000465f4b82d61eaeda9b&dg=feature

 

 

I thought you were asking about Laurel Creek my mistake Old Cades Cove is all gravel like a drive way to me any way. We rode it fall 2011 also. I don't think you will have any trouble if you can ride gravel. They close it when they want or so it seems you can always call ahead to see if open.

 

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm

[Wrench]

We went thru there a few years back on a convertible trip, the wife and I thought we would take Parsons Branch over to 129 but it was washed out and closed. My son and I went to a Volusia Owners rally in '09 and our "ride leader" planned on us making the Cades Cove loop. It started raining buckets so he decided a short-cut across one of the gravel roads was in order. I'll remember this as long as I live, 11 bikes, mostly dressers, sitting there looking down that gravel road, I told my son that some of these folks had never even seen a road like that. We got about 1/2 way thru and came to a water crossing, NOT a bridge mind you, just concrete with water running over it. It was probably 3" over the floorboards on my Venture, then we had a pretty steep washboardy gravel hill to go up. We all survived it none the worse for wear, and even wound up with a "Swamp Tour '09" patch out of the deal. I've had a lot of fun riding down there, and look forward to doing a lot more.