Lead Cove Trail

"The Mysterious One" and I accessed this trail from the pull-off parking beside Laurel Creek Rd as you drive towards Cades Cove. There are several pull-offs that are parallel to the road near the intersection of Finley Cane, Turkeypen Ridge, Crib Gap, and Lead Cove trails.
Find the trails' intersection on your map.

This 1.8 mile jaunt which makes up the Lead Cove trail, takes you up to the Bote Mtn. Trail where you can go right and continue 2.9 mls to the AT, and the Spence Field Shelter, or left and down to several trail intersections and eventually campsite #18. Another two miles along the West Prong trail an you'll reach the Institute at Tremont.
Lead Cove and other trails which connect with Bote Mtn. trail can be used as portions of great day hikes if you have a shuttle or two vehicles. Some longer day hikes/loops can also be mapped out.
About a 1/4 ml. in we surprised a sleeping bear. Needless to say it surprised us as well!
This 1.8 mls is a moderately difficult hike primarily because of the consistent incline throughout the 1.8 mls. The terrain and foliage was beautiful with a few late summer vistas along the way.

Noah Bud Ogle cabin and trail

From our friends at the GSMNP - 

Noah Bud Ogle Cabin and Nature Trail Temporary Closure Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced a temporary, weekday closure of the Noah Bud Ogle Cabin, Noah Bud Ogle Nature Trail, and associated parking area to allow crews to make needed cabin repairs. The area will be closed August 26 through September 12 on Monday mornings at 7:00 a.m. through Thursday evenings at 5:30 p.m. weekly. The area will be fully open each week on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and on federal holidays.

The Noah Bud Ogle cabin is located on Cherokee Orchard Road near Gatlinburg, TN. The cabin, barn, and tub mill are preserved along a mile-long nature trail. The unique cabin design joins two structures together by a common chimney. Crews will be making much-needed repairs to the chimney.

For more information on road and trail closures, please visit the park website at http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/temproadclose.htm.

....and this just in, yesterday. Major road closures this winter in the Smokies.

Significant road closures scheduled this winter in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park officials announced that the main access roads into Cades Cove and Cataloochee will be closed for several months this winter for road construction projects.     

The main access road into Cataloochee, Cove Creek Road, is expected to be closed from November 1 through February 29 for roadwork while the North Carolina Department of Transportation repairs a slide just outside the park along the county road. This full road closure will prevent access into Cataloochee from this main access point. The Cataloochee area will remain accessible along old Highway 284 which is a narrow, winding gravel road leading from the Big Creek area of the park into Cataloochee Valley. Weather depending, this road may be closed at any time due to snow, ice, or downed trees. This route is not recommended for low clearance vehicles or trailers. The Cataloochee Campground is expected to reopen for the 2020 season by March 26.


Laurel Creek Road, the seven-mile access road leading from the Townsend Wye to Cades Cove will be closed to all motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians from January 3 through February 29 to repair the Bote Mountain Tunnel. The full closure, beginning just past Tremont Road, is necessary to allow equipment set-up for the repair of the internal drainage system in the walls and ceiling of the 121-foot long tunnel. Crews will enclose and heat the tunnel, allowing the temperature-sensitive repairs to be conducted during the winter months when visitation is lower. Intermittent single-lane closures will be necessary between March 1 and June 15 to complete the tunnel repairs and to re-pave the tunnel area. 
The Cades Cove Campground, normally open during the winter months, will be closed December 30, 2019 through March 5. To accommodate winter campers, Elkmont Campground will remain open year round along with Smokemont Campground in NC. 

The Bote Mountain Tunnel, constructed in 1948, has not had any significant rehabilitation work since that time. 

For more information about road closures, please follow SmokiesRoadsNPS on twitter or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/grsm.

Hikes in the Smokies

Wow Dudes and Dudettes! The pleasures and benefits of getting outside are never ending. Whether I am in my yard or in a protected wilderness area my blood pressure drops and my attitude and outlook changes.
These are some pics I took while hiking some of my default hikes along West Prong, and Rich Mountain trails. The trails are in good condition and with schools being back in session the visitor numbers to all the protected areas are lower. The mast crop looks to be really good in the areas I have recently hiked.