We revisited one of our favorite places, Cades Cove in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in mid April 2014. This trip was a bit different as we left the cove by way of Forge Creek and Parson Branch Roads to emerge from the park on US 129 on the Tail of the Dragon.
Forge Creek Road begins near the Cades Cove Visitor Center complex about halfway around the loop road. It is a 2.2 mile gravel road that crosses Mill Creek and Wildcat Branch before following Forge Creek up to the Gregory Ridge trailhead. A gravel parking area and turn around have been constructed near the trailhead. The road up to the Gregory Ridge trailhead only climbs about 170 feet and is accessible to any vehicle.
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| A roadside cascade on Mill Creek |
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| Swift current |
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| A closer view of the cascade |
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| Light and shadows on Mill Creek |
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| Wildflowers near the creek |
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| The Henry Whitehead Place |
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| The original cabin sits behind the 1898 home |
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| The rough cabin was built in a rush by the brothers of Matilda Shields Gregory after her husband deserted her and their son |
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| The only remaining outbuilding |
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| Forge Creek from the road |
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| Forge Creek drops over a rock ledge |
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| A small cascade on Forge Creek |
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| Another cascade on Forge Creek above the intersection with Parson Branch Road |
There is no fee to enter Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The park website is http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.
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