Roaring Forks Motor Trail

A couple of weeks ago, I gave you a general synopsis of our "vacation" with friends in the Smokies. I want to elaborate a little more on the Roaring Fork Motor Trail. This is one of those gems in the Smokies that doesn't seem to be too well known.

Here are a few of the scenes you'll see:


There are several places where you can pull off and check out the views - like this one.




You'll find a number of old buildings along the trail. This was an old mill...




...complete with a sluice. A little repair work and this would be ready to go.


But the best part is the scenery along the river. This is just one of several spots where we stopped and walked down to the rocks along the water.


And can you believe? We even saw rhododendron blooming - in late June!

To access Roaring Fork, turn off the main parkway in Gatlinburg, TN at traffic light #8 and follow Historic Nature Trail Road to the Cherokee Orchard entrance to the national park. Just beyond the Rainbow Falls trailhead you have the option of taking the one-way Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail. This narrow, paved road winds for six miles beside rich forests, waterfalls, and streams.

For more information and maps, visit the National Park Web site - http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/roaringfork.htm. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Oh, one more thing: don't try this in winter. The trail is closed. But any other time of the year is pretty spectacular.