In case you missed it this year, let the Great Smoky Mountains Association take you on an autumn trip through Cades Cove:
Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com
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The cove is my favorite place in the whole world (next to my home)! I do not get to visit but every couple of years but I am drawn to that place!
I have heard they may close it to individual traffic & open it to bus tours only. I hope that never happens. I would never return if that happened.
I have a picture of my granddaughter sitting on a big rock just off the loop. She has claimed it as "her rock".
I have made some wonderful family memories in the cove!
Thanks for sharing the video!
Tina,
I think they've been kicking this idea around for a couple of years now, but I don't believe it's moving forward in anyway. I could be wrong on that, unless you've heard something new recently.
I wasn't too excited myself about having to take buses either, but we just returned from Rocky Mtn NP, Zion and Bryce where we took buses, and I'll tell you they were extremely efficient. My experience in Glacier NP last year wasn't so pleasant, however. Too many people and not enough buses caused some long waits.
I should say that I think the Smokies has to do something about the traffic in Cades Cove - it's far worse than the parks I mentioned above. If done right, I think they could implement a bus system that would work for most people. If I were in charge, I would experiment with mandatory bus usage during peak hours, such as from 9am to 2 or 3 pm in the summer and peak fall seasons, and most weekends during the spring and fall.
Maybe have some buses for hikers only - in other words they would only stop at trailheads. And other buses could be used for sightseers - with interpretative information provided along the way, and the opportunity to stop for historical places and wildlife.
I think once people begin to use such a program, their minds might be changed - provided the park designs a proper program.
Just my 2 cents...
Jeff
I really hope they don't implement a bus only system. I love to be able to ramble with my camera after parking in a pull-off or designated parking area.
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