Trail Stories: Renee's Bear Encounter!

I've been on most of the trails in the Tremont and Cades Cove area and those in between. ATTEMPTED to ride up to Gregory's Bald today but was cut off at the pass by a very surly mama bear! When she heard our horses both of her two cubs shot up a tree right next to Parson's Branch Road and she planted herself at the base of their tree. No amount of loud noises, whistles, hand clapping or off-key singing caused her to budge. She began growling and swatting the ground. No kidding. So my buddy and I grudgingly left her in peace and contented ourselves with a ride down Forge Creek Road. We'll return on a cooler day when the bears have begun their long winter's sleep . . . . According to a park ranger we spoke with last week in the Anthony Creek area, bear activity this year has been unusually high. I believe it!Happy Trails!Renee

("Double Click" on the pics above to better see the cubs!)

Trail Info: Trailer Space and Horse Water

Renee, over in Maryville, suggested that we post info in our trail articles about trailer space at trail heads and water availability for horses on the trails. Her idea is great, so, here is a little catch up info from my experience for those who may be interested. If others of you can add to this please send a note to me or Moira, we will get it posted.

The Big South Fork has several trail heads for horses. Bandy Creek has a large area for trailers. LOTS of room. Cumberland Valley and Station Camp trail heads can accommodate 8-10 trailers. There is LOTS of space at Zenith Stables which is a short distance from the Zenith trail head. Not far from Zenith, there is a trail head near Honey Creek. Room for 6-8 trailers there.

Dupont State Forrest has two horse parking areas. The only one I've seen is the Lake Imaging trail head. There were at least 8 trailers there and room for more.

Trail heads in the Smokies that I know about vary. Big Creek sits right at the TN/NC line near us. It has room for 10 trailers at least. Greenbriar, between Gatlinburg and Cosby, has limited trailer space; 2, no more than 3, and get there early to beat the hikers. Tremont has room for several trailers, but get there early to beat the hikers. There are a couple of places for trailers along the road into Cades Cove. The parking at the Cades Cove campground area is tight. Room for 4-5 trailers, but must back in. Better be a good driver there! Plenty of room at the Abrams Falls parking area at the back of Cades Cove. Room for 3 trailers back at the Parsons Branch road on the backside of Cades Cove. Deep Creek, near Bryson City, NC, has room for 4-6 trailers. There are other horse trail heads in the Smokies, but these are the ones I know.

Harmon Den, NC, has plenty of room for trailers.

The Elk Gardens trail head (Virginia Highlands Horse Trail) up at Mount Rogers, VA, has room for about 3-5 trailers. There are other trail heads in the Mt Rogers area, but I'm most familiar with Elk Gardens.

There is plenty of water for horses available at Mt Rogers, Harmon Den, Big Creek, Deep Creek and Dupont State Forrest. Water availability on other trails in the Smokies just depend on which trail you choose. I recommend a good topo trail map and look for the little blue lines!

Hope that you all find this helpful!

Happy Trails,

Sam Gerhardt,
President, FoxTROT