Picks and Pans – Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The half mile hike up to this 3rd highest peak east of the Mississippi was pleasantly strenuous and rewarded us with a great view of the surrounding mountains. Although my exuberance in getting to the top resulted in a slightly sore backside the next day!

The extremely helpful ranger that spoke with us at the visitor’s center recommended this 5.5 mile walk as a great way to see wildflowers and, boy, was she right! As soon as we crossed over the mountains to the Tennessee side of the park, all the plants were springing out all over. This hike in particular took us down beside a strikingly clear little river and then up on to the hill above it and all along we were discovering new wildflowers popping up.

About midway around Cades Cove, this 5 mile hike took us to a rushing waterfall. Luckily we started out early enough to avoid the crowds on this popular hike. When we parked the van, there were only a couple of other cars in the meadow, but by the time we returned the lot was full to capacity.

Cades Cove is an amazing 11 mile biking and walking path that is horribly marred by all the cars that are allowed to drive on it. In reality, Cades Cove is one of the most famous drives in the Great Smokies and is packed with cars for most of the day. It runs through a lushly green valley populated with deer and turkey, surrounded by mountains and dotted with the historical homes of the people that were forced out upon creation of the park. The entire time we were following the car in front of us, we couldn’t help but remark how this mediocre drive could be a fantastic bike ride, walk or horse ride. However, it seems as though the masses have spoken and they have done so from their car windows rather than the seat of their bicycles.