[Roswell52]

This is one of my favorite places on the planet and is accessible from almost anywhere on the east coast. Bad news is that there is NO MTB access to the trails. The good news is that the Cade's Cove Loop Road and all adjoining gravel roads are. The loop road is 12 miles long and paved, but has some good climbs and drops that will give you a workout. Saturdays and Wednesdays, the loop road is closed to cars and open to bikes only till 10AM.

I took all of these pics with my Nikon D50 from my BIKE while riding the loop. (Except for the one of me) If you you like to see wildlife while you ride, this place is a trip.

 

[spec4life]

That place is pretty awesome, Iv never biked it but have rode through it with in a car and if you dont see 300 deer and 30 bears your just not looking....

 

[Ranger275]

Nice photos. Cool that the roads are open to bikes only at certain times. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ArmySlowRdr]

nice wildlife shots.

 

[2ridealot]

Great pics! Thanks

 

[Gatorback]

Those are great pics. You are lucky to have seen and gotten a picture of a bear. I'll even forgive you for being a Tennessee fan.

I got to do that road loop in 2006. We saw lot's of deer, and some turkey, but no bear.

 

[cooldaddy]

wow, lots of wild life...

ps. you may want to check the amount of "image/file compression" used in either the camera or photoshop. those shots have some major distortion, a D50 should produce better quality than that....

 

[Idriver]

nice pics thanks for sharing

 

[bryang]

That's MY favorite place on the planet as well. Correction, though, you can bike the loop any time. It is closed to motorized traffice Wed and Sat AM. Even though the tech difficulty is low, Parsons Branch and Rich Mtn. Roads are fun on the MTB. Also, it ain't that far from Fontana, Tsali, and Chilhowee.

 

[Singletrack Pig]

Funny Smokies Story

I used to be a Park Ranger in the Smokies and had plenty of interaction with your average park visitor. One day a gentleman approached me at the visitor's center and expressed an interest in the elk we had reintroduced to the park.

I almost fell over when he asked me how old a deer had to be before it was considered an elk.

Ahhh, gotta love opportunities to educate the public.

 

[paingold]

Agreed

This is one of my favorite places on the planet...

Mine too! Great photos.
I have go back with my bike.

 

[Roswell52]

wow, lots of wild life...

ps. you may want to check the amount of "image/file compression" used in either the camera or photoshop. those shots have some major distortion, a D50 should produce better quality than that....

Thanks for the input. You were exactly right. I went back and corrected the problem and updated the pics.

Here's a couple of more pics

Cheers