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EXPLORE
THE GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS
Try Whitewater Rafting: The Nantahala River offers
up eight miles of Class II rapids before reaching the Class
III Nantahala Falls making it a family-friendly introduction to
whitewater paddling that is ideal for a first-time experience, while
still being exciting for whitewater veterans. For those ready to try
guiding, it’s an excellent river to rent your own raft and take the helm,
or choose a “guide-assisted” trip, with guides present but not on
every raft.The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad offers a combo-trip
that begins with a scenic morning train ride through the Nantahala
Gorge, a riverside lunch at Slow Joe’s Café and a fully guided raft trip.
Directions: Hook up with the local rafting experts at Wildwater for a fun guided
rafting adventure. Call ahead for reservations: Wildwater || (866-319-8870)
Look For Elk In The Smokies: Cades Cove and the
Cataloochee Valley are both areas of extensive, once cultivated
meadows that provide preferred forest edge habitat for many animals.
Plentiful deer, bears, and elk are among the most impressive sightings.
Cataloochee Valley is the place to see the park’s growing elk population.
The animals were reintroduced beginning in 2001 and have prospered in
the park. You’re most likely to see the elegant animals near dawn or dusk.
Directions: Cades Cove is located west of SugarlandsVisitor Center via
Little River Rd. and Laurel Creek Rd.To reach Cataloochee Valley, take exit 20
from I-40 and go west toward Maggie Valley on US 276.Take the first right on
Cove Creek Rd. and go 7.4 miles to a left turn, from gravel to pavement, on the
road to Cataloochee. Stop by Bryson City Outdoors for more info on where
the best place to see the elk are before you go.
Ride Tsali Recreation Area: The Tsali (pronounced “SAH-lee”)
Recreation Area’s four-loop trail system has become a popular destination for
mountain bikers and horseback riders. It is best known as a challenging mountain bike
course. The Right Loop, rated moderately difficult, offers 13.9 miles of single track,
with shorter 4- and 8-mile loops possible. The Left Loop, rated moderately difficult,
is 11.9 miles of single track with views toward the Great Smoky Mountains National
Park and Fontana Lake.The Mouse Branch Trail, rated moderately difficult, is 8.7 miles
of single track and includes old logging roads.The Thompson Loop, rated moderately
difficult, is 7.3 miles of single track.There is a per-person day use fee for trail use. Fees
can be paid at either the Tsali Bike or Horse Trailheads. Hikers may travel the trails on
any day, but mountain bikers and equestrians–the primary users–are kept separated
by alternating days on the trails. Directions: From Bryson City, head west on US
74 for 8 miles to a right on NC-28. After 3.5 miles, look for Tsali Road on the right and
continue to the trails.Tsali Cycles offers bike rentals, maps, local trail info and craft beer on
tap. Visit them at 35 Slope Street in Bryson City.