| Author | Message | ||
     Florida_lime |
On my weekend trip from south Florida to Robbinsville, North Carolina, I ended and then started the trip (going back) by taking a dirt shortcut that may be of interest to anyone visiting the area. The best way to describe it is that it is an 8 mile dirt/gravel version of Deal's Gap ! From the Cherokee Indian website: "Tatham Gap Pile Ridge Trail On June 21, 1838, North Carolina troops escorted three hundred Cherokee prisoners from Fort Montgomery (now Robbinsville) across the Snowbird Mountains on the first leg of their thousand-mile trek to Oklahoma. They crossed the Snowbirds on the military road built on the long-familiar Cherokee trail between the Cheoah community and the Valley Towns (from present-day Robbinsville to Andrews.) One can walk or drive along this route, today, finding in some places the wagon ruts made by the Army as they transported the Cherokees in their first stage along the Trail of Tears. [See sidebar on Removal of the Cheoah Cherokees] The Tatham Gap/ Rockpile Trail was significant in Cherokee history even before the events of the Removal, and it figures in legends and oral history. Like other ancient trails made by game and by early people, it could be thousands of years old. It takes a direct route from the watershed of the Valley River (in Cherokee, Gunahita, or "long") into the valley and watershed of the Cheoah River. Both of these river valleys stand at about 2,000 feet elevation, but the surrounding peaks rise above 5,000 feet. The trail makes its way through the 3,500 foot high gap, a relatively easy way between the two valleys, and one that avoids traveling through the Nantahala Gorge. (On the northern side of the valley, Stecoah Gap (on Rt. 143) provides similar access into the Cheoah River valley.)" | ||
| Florida_lime |
more info: http://www.tailofthedragon.com/other_dual_tathum.html The slide area mentioned has since been repaired, and the road is open. (Message edited by florida_lime on June 19, 2007) | ||
| Mike_dinger |
Looks effing awesome!  | ||
| Michael1 |
It is a heck of a short cut. I was on that road two weeks ago when I was in the area. I did around 300 miles of the offroad type stuff. Found some goat paths, the Trail of Tears (that you mention here) and plenty of other stuff, mostly local four wheeler trails. They were all fun and doing them two-up...what a blast. Saying you rode on the Trail of Tears is the best part. The views are great, but the significance of such a trail is HUGE in American history. That link you gave... I did that entire route, plus some of the other routes. The pics are quite amazing.        | ||
| Florida_lime |
The saddest thing about the Trail of Tears now is if you look down the steepest inclines, you see where people have gotten rid of their old washers, refrigerators, and couches. Of course the "NO DUMPING" signs are a little hard to read.   | ||
| Orangeulius |
Wow. Thanks for the tip. Etennuly, Gotj, myself and a few harley rider were up in Robbinsville a month or so ago. Found a restaurant on the main drag through town that serves deep fried cheesecake. Only 2 guys opted for it. Can you say arterial clog? Seriously though, I will definately get a local group together to try those trails. | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
I have plans of going down that way this weekend. I have been to the "Dragon" many times and did not know about these trails. I am going to try and find them. It looks like these are the perfect roads for the Uly. | ||
| Orangeulius |
Chris, let me know if you want to hook up. I just got off the phone with Etennuly and we are considering this ride on Saturday. | ||
| Mike_dinger |
As much as I love the west coast, sometimes I wish I was back on the east side and could get up with some of you guys for rides! I know I'm relatively new here at BBD, but i feel like you guys are like cousins or something. I wanna ride the Dragon too!!!  | ||
| Orangeulius |
Hey Mike. As someone who grew up in San Diego I often wish I could ride the coast. I hope to do a west coast trip in the next year or so with some time in Utah and Arizona in between. If you ever get out this way you would have plenty of Uly owners to hook up with. I've gotta admit that having the Dragon and the Smoky mtns only a half hour or so from my house is pretty nice. | ||
| Florida_lime |
Chris and Mark, The Tail of the Dragon web link gives some directions for the loop they describe. If you are interested in the Tathum Gap Rd. portion, from Robbinsville center on 129, take the 143 Business route west just south of the Microtel , follow it until you see Long Creek Road on the left. Take it, it will turn to dirt after a mile or so. It really is pretty close to the center of town, but 143 Business rt. does take a few sharp turns on the local streets, so just watch the signs. For someone looking for something dirt/gravel but a little less twisty and/or hilly, take Little Snowbird or Snowbird west until the pavement ends, then continue on. Snowbird will stop at hiking trails, where you have to turn around. I think the same applies to Little Snowbird, but I haven't taken that one to the end yet. They each follow the creek, so if you like trout fishing, DO NOT take either route without having some kind of fishing gear with you, or you will be kicking yourself later.  | ||
| Orangeulius |
Thanks for the details!  | ||
| Mike_dinger |
Orange, look me up if you decide to head out this way. I'm up in the Bay Area, and we have some stellar riding up here. I should really get off my butt and take some photos of some rides. I hate to stop while riding to take pics, I just like to keep going! I should really buy one of those helmet cams. My folks live in Portland, Tn. I should take a cross country ride to visit them, and maybe meet up with some of you guys while I'm there. Hard to take vacation with this project I'm working on....stupid job! | ||
| Orangeulius |
Mike, will do. | ||
| Chris_in_tn |
Orange, as of now I plan on leaving out of Nashville around 12ish and taking Hwy70 to 30 out of Mcminnville to Hwy39 in Athens and over to Telico Plains. And probably finding somewhere to crash, I will have my tent and bag with me. Then get up Sunday and explore some of these roads!! How bout it. It would be nice to have a some locals to help with some of the local knowledge. | ||
| Orangeulius |
Chris, you should have PM's from me and Etennuly. | ||
| Florida_lime |
For you guys doing some of the Graham county dirt roads this weekend, I thought of another that you might want to check out. It's called the Shell Stand Road. Some maps list it as Shall Stand Road. If you are on Rt. 28 southeast of Deal's Gap, look for Panther Creek Road just after you pass Rt. 143. There is an Upper and Lower Panther Creek Rd., you want to turn RIGHT on Panther Creek if you are heading east. Follow it in a short ways, then turn onto Shell Stand Road; it goes way back into the mountains, but you will have to turn around at some point as it has no outlet. Go to Google maps, and look for the VERY squiggly line !  |
