Tail of the Dragon and Smoky Mountain advice?

"Milky" (jordanmielke)
07/10/2020 at 11:25 • Filed to: tail of the dragon, ND, MX5

Got a cabin in the woods and planning on doing some waterfall hiking .

I did the dragon once (pictured above) , but it was on day 2 of having a manual. L iterally just drove through after buying the car last time, so really neither the GF or I have been the re. If you have any pro-tips it’d be appreciated.

DISCUSSION (34)

Darkbrador > Milky
07/10/2020 at 11:32

Go visit the Biltmore house in Asheville, if it’s open. Watch your speed on the Blue Ridge Parkway, though, lots of cops.

Also, the side roads going up & down the mountains are much more fun than the Parkway itself.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > Milky
07/10/2020 at 11:36

Do more than just the Tail of the Dragon...there are hundreds of miles of fantastic driving roads in that area.

Just Jeepin' > Milky
07/10/2020 at 11:39

Go see some bears in Cades Cove.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Milky
07/10/2020 at 11:40

For the Dragon specifically, I’ve heard first run of the morning or mid-week to avoid traffic. Also, what Darkbrador & Mario said.

Milky > Darkbrador
07/10/2020 at 11:45

Thats a big house. I also didn’t even realize thats where the blue ridge parkway is. I’ve only seen it on top gear.

Milky > MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s
07/10/2020 at 11:46

L ast time I drove north from Atlanta and had a ton of fun on all of the roads. Looking forward to spending 4 days around there.

Milky > Just Jeepin'
07/10/2020 at 11:49

GF said no bears! Keep seeing that on things to do lists though.

bob and john > Milky
07/10/2020 at 11:51

3x dragon-vet rider here.

DRIVE. YOUR OWN. DRIVE.

stay to the right of the mustard.

watch your mirrors. Use the pull offs and let those who are faster then you by.

also, best times are mon-thursday 6am-noon.

Also: cherohalla skyway, the devils triangle, the moonshiner are all great roads.

If its open, el pacifico in robbinsville is my go-to food spot.

Kiltedpadre > Milky
07/10/2020 at 11:55

If you go to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg the crowds are insane, but all the distilleries have free samples if you’re a drinker.

Staying in a cabin in the mountains there is a very good chance you’ll see bears. They come right up on the porches because they’re so used to people leaving food laying around.

Cades Cove is gorgeous but get there early or you’ll be stuck in a parade that takes all day.

Milky > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
07/10/2020 at 11:56

We’ re trying to be COVID smart so the whole trip is Monday-F riday. Hopefully the trials are less busy. Bonus is the emptier roads.

Just Jeepin' > Milky
07/10/2020 at 11:58

They’re harmless.

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > bob and john
07/10/2020 at 12:01

Yup, hit the tail of the dragon early in the morning, and spend the afternoon enjoying the various other roads in the area

Milky > bob and john
07/10/2020 at 12:03

I pulled over last time! Like to think I m not an asshole, no leaving the lane unless letting someone by.

Thanks for the road recs. I unknowingly did moonshiner28 last time, that was a good road and noticeable less busy.

bob and john > Milky
07/10/2020 at 12:05

yea. I LOVE the dragon, great place to get the knee draggin’ XD

Kinja'd!!!

LKast time I was with a bunch of oppos and we had a LOT of fun. I think it was Harlen who did a chase run. we had PACE man.

Milky > Kiltedpadre
07/10/2020 at 12:12

Definitely taking note on not leaving food outside. Went the cabin route because we want to avoid the touristy things if possible. Going to stay out of town, but for sure going get whiskey when getting groceries.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Milky
07/10/2020 at 12:18

Very nice! Looking forward to your trip report.

A Boy and His Longtail > Milky
07/10/2020 at 12:25

Are you looking for hikes or do you already have some lined up?

WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI > Milky
07/10/2020 at 12:27

I’d say: stop and watch cars go by once it’s busy. When I was there, there was a ton of amazing machines worth checking out.

E90M3 > Milky
07/10/2020 at 12:27

I’m with MasterMario, there’s a lot of fun roads near there that aren’t the dragon. I had more fun on those roads than I did the dragon, simply because there was no traffic.

arl > Milky
07/10/2020 at 12:39

Never been, but a drive report would be gre at so we can all live vicariously through you. :)

Kiltedpadre > Milky
07/10/2020 at 12:46

There are some really good local cider makers too.

Milky > bob and john
07/10/2020 at 12:51

lol, looks like you were setting the pace.

Milky > A Boy and His Longtail
07/10/2020 at 12:54

Alltrails has a best list, the plan is just do the top ones that aren’t hard. But if you know of something that would be nice.

https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/tennessee/great-smoky-mountains-national-park

Milky > WasGTIthenGTOthenNOVAnowbacktoGTI
07/10/2020 at 13:02

I imagine its real good car spotting, thats going to depend on the GF though. Not sure I want to make her sit there with me, lol.

Milky > arl
07/10/2020 at 13:10

Will do! Going to be a nice area for pretty pictures .

Milky > Kiltedpadre
07/10/2020 at 13:11

Had no idea, girlfriend would definitely be more interested in that.

Milky > Just Jeepin'
07/10/2020 at 13:14

But they’re bears. We’ll keep our distance at least.

bob and john > Milky
07/10/2020 at 13:20

if he was in my mirror, moar loud. :D

bob and john > Milky
07/10/2020 at 13:20

if he was in my mirror, moar loud. :D

A Boy and His Longtail > Milky
07/10/2020 at 15:32

Spruce Flats Falls at Tremont Institute is only about a mile one way. Good little climb but well worth it. I didn’t see it on the list. All the hikes around here are pretty much gorgeous, though. Personally, I like the ones away from the Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge areas since those tend to be a bit more crowded.

LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com > Milky
07/10/2020 at 17:32

The AT crosses Fontana Dam (near the Dragon) , and is an option, but since it’s uphill in either direction from there, I’ve hiked the trail around the lake on the north side of the dam after driving during the morning . Not too strenuous, but challenging enough to keep it interesting, and nice views.

Milky > A Boy and His Longtail
07/13/2020 at 09:27

That looks nice, thanks!

Milky > LimitedTimeOnly @ opposite-lock.com
07/13/2020 at 09:28

Thanks, for the tip. Me and the GF are amateurs so were trying to keep it easy.

A Boy and His Longtail > Milky
07/13/2020 at 09:56

Glad to help!