Month: April 2026

I took 2 hikes while camping in Cades Cove. A long one and a short one. The long one, about five miles, started in the campground.

Naturally, I crossed one of the park’s iconic log footbridges.

And another. Another. And another.

I especially like this one. Here the trail joined a horse trail. There was a footbridge for hikers and a shallow ford for horses.

The trail took me high up a mountain.

Coming down off the mountain on its other side, I ended up following a larger stream back to the campground.

The shorter hike began off Laurel Creek Road just outside the campground. It began gently enough.

The sky had cleared and it was a pleasant sunny day.

The trail started up the mountain.

But I didn’t get very far up it. Someone ahead of me on the trail yelled at me that there was a bear on the trail. I hadn’t seen it, but once I looked I did. It was plopped down right across the trail.

The yelling must have awakened it.

Since it was awake, it started munching on berries. Right next to the trail. The bear didn’t look like it would be leaving soon, So I did. I backtracked and started up the mountain in the opposite direction.

The trail would have eventually looped back around where the bear was. As you can tell by the shadows, the day was getting late. If I continued on to where the bear was at, and it was still there, then I would have to backtrack all the way around to get back to the campground. Which meant I would be on the trail in the dark. I didn’t even have flashlight with me. The bear probably would have been gone by then, but I didn’t want to chance it. So after a while I backtracked again until I came to an open field, where I could see the road. And a lot of horses.

I passed this bird on the way out to the field.

Then I crossed the field and walked down the road back to the campground.

We camped 3 days in Cades Cove, then headed for home. It was a rainy day.

With low clouds.

We left the park and took the bypass around Gatlinburg.

And were on our way home.

END OF TRIP

After spending three days at Elkmont, we drove west on Little River Gorge Road, stopping several times along the way. Such as a side trip to Tremont.

And the Sinks.

We turned onto Laurel Creek Road and set up in Cades Cove Campground.

Naturally, we drove the loop, making frequent stops.

Plenty of wildlife in Cades Cove.

We even hiked a little on the Abrams Falls Trail.

That was enough for one day, so we returned to our site and relaxed.

Next American Location: Cades Cove Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee – two hikes

One day while we were camped at Elkmont we went into Gatlinburg.

I’d been to Gatlinburg many times, but never at Halloween. The town knows how to decorate.

We walked around to see the usual sights.

Another day we drove up to Clingman’s Dome. Along the way we stopped to take a look at Chimney Tops. I’ve hiked to the top twice. The trail is steep, but the views from up there are fantastic.

We continued driving up.

Even better views from the Clingman’s Dome parking lot.

Walking up to the Dome gave even better views, like this one gazing down on the parking lot.

And these gazing up at the Dome.

But the best views were up on top of the Dome.

See the gravel path that joins the cement walkway? That’s part of the Appalachian Trail. It crosses the height Clingman’s Dome is built on.

Gazing off toward Gatlinburg.

Naturally, we had to pose.

Next American Location: Cades Cove Campground, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee