Memories from touring the western side of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Scenic view of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in the fall - Photo: Stillgravity.
The beauty of the Smoky Mountains during the fall - License our images here.

We've come a few times to the Smokies. These old mountains of North America are so beautiful that we never get tired of seeing them. And we are not alone, because this is the most visited national park in the Unites States - second place is...  guess! 

(Get the answer here).

The fall always is amazing in the Smokies. True that there is not much water in the waterfalls, but the mosaic of colors of the forest is impressive. 

The short hike to Cataract Falls near Sugarlands Visitor Center, the drive through Roaring Fork Nature Trail - the one lane road that climbs the mountains following the cabins of old dwellers -, the trail to Grotto Falls in the route to Mt. LeConte - did you know that lamas carry the supplies to the lodge -, Cades Cove, the remote valley dotted by the cabins of old settlers, the eagle views from the scenic Foothills Parkway and "Top of the World", the crowded Gatlinburg with its sky-lift and the amazing Chili Cookoff and Christmas illumination, and Pigeon Forge, the town that grew around a forge by the Pigeon River. 

How can we forget about the Smokies? Impossible. We come back again, and again, and again. Too many things to do. Too many things to see. 

Enjoy some pictures from the old trips. 

Cataract Falls during autumn in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee - Photo: Stillgravity.
The thin line of water of Cataract Falls in the autumn. This waterfall is close to the Sugarlands Visitor Center and Gatlinburg - there is a two miles trail from the city to the visitor center.

The truck camper parked on Roaring Fork Nature Trail, Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee - Photo: Stillgravity.
Returning to our truck camper late in the afternoon after a hike in one of the trails of Roaring Fork Nature Trail - there are many trails in this scenic loop. You can't walk all in one day.

Ephraim and Minerva Bales cabin in Roaring Fork Nature Trail, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee - Photo: Stillgravity.
One of the old homes along Roaring Fork Nature Trail. Ephraim and Minerva Bales raised nine children here. They lived in this home from 1890 to about 1930. 

The Grotto Falls in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee - Photo: Stillgravity.
Grotto Falls with the trail passing behind the cascade. In spring- summer the water comes back in full force. This trail keeps climbing up to Mt. LeConte. The other route is through the Alum Cave Trail. 

John and Lucretia Oliver cabin in Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee - Photo: Still Gravity.
John Oliver's cabin in Cades Cove. John and Lucretia Oliver were the first white permanent settlers in the remote valley. They moved here in the 1820s. C is thinking to move up here. LOL.  

Collage of images of the scenic Loop of Cades Cove, the Methodist Church, and Mill Creek - Photos: Stillgravity.
The truck camper parked on the Scenic Loop of Cades Cove, the old Methodist Church, and crossing Mill Creek at the trails by the end of the valley.                 

Cabin in Top of the World with an amazing view of Great Smoky Mountains National Park - Photo: Still Gravity.
House with an amazing view of Great Smoky Mountains National Park in "Top of the World" near Lake in the Sky, Tennessee.              

The popular City of Gatlinburg in the Smoky Mountains - Photo: Stillgravity.
Mr. Gatlin was not the most loved neighbor in this area, but the town ended named after him - View of Gatlinburg, Tennessee.               

The Old Mill in the Historic District of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - Photo: Stillgravity.
The old mill in the Historic District of Pigeon Forge - there is a restaurant there. Plenty of small shops and places to eat in this area. Once, we spent a day in the nearby KOA - another view of the Old Mill in this post.           

Our truck camper in Clabough’s Campground, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee - Photo: Stillgravity.
Some days in a quiet corner at the shores of Waldens Creek in the Clabough’s Campground of Pigeon Forge - we were alone until the weekend warriors arrived. After the weekend, alone again. Sweet. 

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